A UK citizen who encouraged others to "celebrate" the October 7 massacre has been detained in the US for "supporting terrorism".
Sami Hamdi, who describes himself as a commentator on the Middle East and North Africa, was arrested by immigration officers on Sunday morning.
The journalist had spoken at the annual gala of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Sacramento brunch in California on Saturday, and was scheduled to give another speech on Sunday in Florida.
However, he was detained at San Francisco airport.
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Tricia McLaughlin, spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said: "This individual's visa was revoked and he is in Ice [immigration and customs enforcement] custody pending removal.
"Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country. It's common sense."
Following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 2023, which saw around 1,200 killed, Mr Hamdi encouraged others to "celebrate".
He told a mosque in London: "We are pitying people who brought a huge victory since 1948.
Sami Hamdi was arrested by immigration officers on Sunday morning
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"Don't pity them, they don't want your pity. Celebrate the victory.
"How many of you felt it in your hearts when you got the news that it happened? How many of you felt the Euphoria? Allah Akbar!"
At the same event, Mr Hamdi denied widespread reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas, claiming instead that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "had to lie about rape", according to the National Post.
Last year, two of the commentator's speeches were cancelled by the Canadian universities which were set to host them.
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Mr Hamdi denied widespread reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas
|GETTY
A spokesman for Concordio, which banned Mr Hamdi, said that his speech would produce a "culture of intimidation".
Laura Loomer, an American conservative activist, called on British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud to get involved, saying: "Will she arrest him? Or while she allow this jihadi to roam the streets of the UK?"
However, CAIR rejected the reasoning for Mr Hamdi's detainment.
It said: "Abducting a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator on a speaking tour in the United Stated because he dared to criticise the Israeli Government's genocide is a blatant affront to free speech.
Laura Loomer called on Shabana Mahmood to arrest Sami Hamdi when he returns to the UK
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"Our nation must stop abducting critics of the Israeli Government at the behest of unhinged Israel First bigots.
Mr Hamdi has previously denied accusations that he celebrated October 7, instead claiming he was "illustrating the international recognition that efforts to normalise relations in the Middle East must include Palestinian people."
He told the National Post: "The October 7 events underscore the failure of any approach that seeks normalisation at the expense of the Palestinian people."
American authorities said: "Mr Hamdi entered the United Stated on a visitor visa October 19, through John Wayne Airport in Orange Country, California.
"The state department's bureau of consular affairs revoked Mr Hamdi's visa October 24, 2025, effective immediately.
"The Ice detained Mr Hamdi and he was illegally in the country, and he will be placed in immigration proceedings."
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