**Welsh MP Describes ‘Frightening’ Harassment Campaign in Court as Two Activists Face Trial**
A Welsh Labour MP, Alex Davies-Jones, has given a stark account in court of what she described as a “terrifying” encounter with two pro-Palestinian campaigners during her general election canvassing, laying bare the impact of political activism on politicians in the current climate.
The case at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court centres on Ayeshah Behit, 31, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, who deny charges of harassment relating to their actions towards Davies-Jones, who represents Pontypridd. The trial, ongoing as of Monday, has brought renewed attention to the fraught intersection of political campaigning, protest, and personal safety for public figures.
Davies-Jones, also a UK Government justice minister, gave evidence that the ordeal unfolded on 26th June in Treforest village, Rhondda Cynon Taf. According to her testimony, she and her team encountered Behit and Ahmed as they were distributing leaflets which strongly condemned her stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, branding her a “full-blown supporter of this genocide”. The term, Davies-Jones stated, made direct reference to her perceived position regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In her detailed description to the court, Davies-Jones said she was confronted with repeated and intense questioning regarding her voting record, her position on a ceasefire, and her involvement with Labour Friends of Israel. She noted, “The tone and passion kept escalating, and it became intimidating. My colleagues and I felt fear. We walked away to try and escape the situation, but the harassment continued.”
Concern for the younger members of her team was palpable in Davies-Jones’ testimony. She outlined her worry about their wellbeing: “They already felt uneasy, and I did not want anyone in my group to feel at further risk.” She recounted that the activists pursued them, yelling accusations down the street such as, “Why do you support genocide?” and “Why are you murdering babies, Alex Davies-Jones?”
Her account continued with further allegations. After seeking respite on the campus of the University of South Wales, the campaigners appeared again twenty minutes later as Davies-Jones and her volunteers continued their door-to-door efforts. She described how, even as Labour activists spoke to local residents, the two defendants followed, handing out incendiary leaflets and persisting in their accusations.
The confrontation left the campaign team unsettled enough to curtail their activities. On returning to their vehicle, they found it plastered with anti-Davies-Jones messages. Later that day, their campaign office in Pontypridd was also targeted: posters accusing the MP of “enabling genocide” were stuck on the building and nearby bus stops. Stickers in bold black letters demanded, “Alex Davies-Jones, how many murdered children is too many?”
Davies-Jones told magistrates: “I was absolutely terrified. I didn’t know what these individuals would do next, and my fear for my own safety, as well as my staff, was overwhelming.” Adding to her distress, a video of the incident – captioned in ways that she felt misrepresented her – was uploaded to social media, where Davies-Jones said the abuse continued relentlessly.
The events have led to significant changes in her day-to-day life, she explained, now only making public appearances when accompanied by security. Reflecting on the fatal attacks on MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, she told the court, “These tragedies have changed the way we live and work; the threat is real and always present.”
During the trial, the accused activists each gave their accounts. Ahmed testified that their aim was to inform the local community of Davies-Jones’ record on Palestine. She described the chance meeting with the MP as unexpected and insisted the initial dialogue was akin to a respectful debate, despite ideological differences. “It felt like a normal political disagreement,” she said, likening it to robust exchanges in Parliament.
Similarly, Behit articulated a motivation to “present a different perspective” to voters. She argued, “Part of an MP’s job is to have their public positions scrutinised. My aim was never personal.”
Both refute that their actions constitute harassment. As the trial progresses, debates over the boundaries of legitimate protest and individual safety for politicians remain highly charged, especially in the run-up to a pivotal general election.
The proceedings continue, with the court set to determine where the line lies between vigorous activism and unlawful harassment in today’s fraught political atmosphere.