Why I’m Crowdfunding

I am an Arab/British woman and mother who has spent her entire adult life working toward a career rooted in knowledge, integrity, and public service.

I hold degrees in International Law, Middle East Politics, and a PhD in Politics.

My work and public platform are grounded in evidence, context, and a commitment to exposing how power, racism and injustice shape people’s lives. My commentary has always been informed, lawful political speech, rooted in international law and political analysis, and protected under human rights law.

I stand strongly against racism. I hold strong principled beliefs that the actions of the Israeli state in Gaza and elsewhere in Palestine is morally wrong, discriminatory and must be opposed.

Ten months ago, my engagement with Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club was abruptly terminated because of that lawful political expression. After legal pressure, the club publicly apologised and accepted that I had acted lawfully and had the right to express my political/philosophical views. I believed that ordeal was over.

After seven months in a brutal job market, I secured a new role, passed all background and media checks, and started work with Apolitical in good faith, withdrawing my applications from other roles and ceasing freelance work. One month later — just days after updating my LinkedIn profile — I was called into a meeting by the CFO/COO and unfairly dismissed because of the same lawful political expression. I thought I was being called into a meeting to be introduced to him and had questions prepared. The process was brutal, isolating and traumatising. I immediately appealed the decision to dismiss but regrettably, none of the points I raised in the appeal were addressed, and the live hearing was cancelled by the company less than 24 hours before it was scheduled to take place, the outcome was confirmed in writing and further spurious allegations were made in the outcome letter (post dismissal) which I did not have the right to challenge in writing, nor at a hearing. The rules of natural justice were ignored and I was denied the right to state my case.

It is now clear this is not about one role or one organisation, but a pattern: being chased, punished and professionally destroyed because of who I am, because of my political and philosophical beliefs, and because of my solidarity with the Palestinian people. Discrimination against me on this basis is unlawful.

I strongly believe that I was persecuted for lawfully expressing my political views.

I insist that freedom of expression is one of the essential foundations of democratic society.

Having exhausted all internal routes, I am taking my employer to Tribunal. I will be bringing claims for direct discrimination on the grounds of race and religion/belief, and for violation of my right to freedom of expression and to hold and express protected philosophical beliefs. No one should have their livelihood repeatedly taken away for exercising rights that equality and human rights law are meant to protect.

I am crowdfunding not because I want to, but because I have been left with no alternative. Legal action is expensive, emotionally draining and risky — but if this goes unchallenged, it will send a message that lawful speech, and standing against racism and oppression, can end someone’s career.

This is not just about me. It is about whether we accept a society in which people — especially women, academics, Arabs, Muslims, and those speaking about Palestine — can be professionally erased for expressing lawful, informed political views and for showing solidarity with a persecuted people. My struggles are nothing compared to what Palestinians endure, but allowing solidarity with them to be criminalised or punished is dangerous — and I refuse to accept that in silence.

If you are able to support, share, or donate, that would be great. You will be helping me seek accountability and defend a basic principle: that no one’s life or livelihood should be destroyed for protected speech or for opposing discrimination.

Thank you for reading, and for standing with me.