Rahman Lowe Client Dr Salma Mashhour to pursue Legal Action To Defend Free Speech on Palestine

Dr Salma Mashhour was recently fired from her job shortly after she was hired by Apolitical Group Ltd as Community Manager because of her pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist beliefs.

Dr Mashhour is British. She was born in Egypt. She taught various political science classes at the University of Strathclyde, and she has a strong global following. Dr Mashhour has a BA in International Law from the American University in Cairo (Highest GPA in her major), a MA in Middle Eastern Politics jointly from American University in Cairo and University of Tübingen and a PhD in Politics from the University of Strathclyde.

She has now lodged notice of claims in the Employment Tribunal with ACAS, the conciliators, against the Company and its Directors, which includes a former head of the British armed forces, who is alleged to have advised Israeli arms firms (https://www.declassifieduk.org/deeply-concerning-british-generals-israeli-weapons-job-criticised/).

Dr Mashhour has also launched a crowd funding campaign to defend the right to speak out on Palestine and challenge what her lawyers say is a troubling pattern of reprisals against lawful political expression in the UK.

With the support of specialist employment law firm, Rahman Lowe Solicitors, she seeks accountability after she says she was dismissed on 30 January 2026 for expressing lawful views on social media in solidarity with Palestinians. The claim will challenge actions taken against her for supporting Palestinians, criticising Zionism and standing against racism (on the grounds of her race and association with Palestinians).

Dr Mashhour claims that the process leading up to her dismissal was brutal. She was called into a meeting. She was not told the purpose in advance, nor informed of the right to be accompanied by a trade union representative and was fired.   Despite appealing the decision to dismiss, and protesting her innocence, she was denied the right to attend an appeal hearing. Her appeal was dismissed without a hearing and new allegations were made in the appeal outcome letter, which were not brought to her attention prior to her dismissal.

Dr Mashhour has commenced a fundraising campaign on Crowd Justice titled “Defending Free Speech, Defending Palestine.” Her case raises wider public interest concerns about freedom of expression, employment rights, and the chilling effect that disciplinary action can have on people speaking out about political and humanitarian issues.

Supporters say the case comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of protest and speech relating to Palestine in the UK.

Dr Mashhour claims that she was penalised for expressing lawful opinions, manifesting her beliefs and was dismissed in breach of any fair process.

Jahad Rahman, partner at Rahman Lowe and part of the legal team supporting Dr Mashhour, said:

“This case is about far more than one individual. It raises serious questions about whether people in the UK can express lawful political and philosophical views, particularly in solidarity with Palestinians without fear of losing their livelihood. Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society. If workers can be punished and brutally dismissed from work for lawful speech on matters of public importance, that principle is placed at risk.”

The legal team says the case aims to establish important safeguards for employees who engage in lawful political expression, particularly where disciplinary processes are used in a draconian manner. Campaigners argue that protecting the right to speak openly about international human rights issues is a matter of clear public interest. They say the outcome of the case could have implications for workers, students, academics and other professionals across the UK who wish to participate in political debate, and speak up against racism, without fear of retaliation.

The Crowd Justice campaign will help cover the legal costs required to pursue the claim and ensure the issues can be tested in the Employment Tribunal.

The case presents an opportunity to reaffirm the principle that lawful political expression, including advocacy for Palestinian rights, must be protected in a democratic society.

If you would like to support Dr Mashhour’s claim and contribute to her campaign, please visit: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/defending-free-speech-defending-palestine/

Notes to Editors

Rahman Lowe Solicitors is a specialist employment and discrimination law firm.
Funds raised will go toward legal costs associated with pursuing the claim.

Media enquiries: Rahman Lowe Solicitors – contact Jahad Rahman on 07956 450814 or jrahman@rllaw.co.uk