A migrant who served a prison sentence for illegally entering the UK and posted calls for the death of Jewish people is now generating an income through social media, an investigation has revealed.
From Prison to Probation Hostel
Palestinian national Abu Wadee, 34, whose real name is Mosab Abdul Karim Al-Qassas, was released from custody in December. He had served a nine-month sentence after arriving in the UK on a dinghy in May last year.
Instead of being deported, the Home Office placed him in a probation hostel on a quiet cul-de-sac in Northampton. The Bridgewood hostel is now his residence while he awaits a decision on his asylum application.
Social Media Activity and Earnings
Despite restrictions on working while his claim is processed, Wadee has been active on TikTok. His original account, which garnered up to 2.5 million views, was shut down after a newspaper investigation exposed his extremist content.
He has since started a new account, which has already attracted 25,000 followers. On this platform, he has promoted products like Remington hair straighteners. Through an affiliate scheme, he receives a commission—estimated at around 5% of the item's price—when followers make a purchase.
History of Extremism and Public Reaction
Wadee's arrest followed the discovery of a series of antisemitic posts he made online. These included a direct call for "death to all Jews". He was also pictured holding a Kalashnikov rifle and an artillery shell.
Most neighbours near his probation hostel said they were unaware of his presence. Some were too frightened to comment, but one local resident, 74-year-old John Weedon, stated: "He should be in a detention centre and then deported."
A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism responded forcefully: "This man is potentially earning a handsome income in Britain from his growing TikTok audience, risking wider radicalisation of people. Why is he still here?"
Platform Action and Ongoing Questions
After being presented with the findings of this investigation, TikTok removed Wadee's new account. However, the case raises significant questions about the management of individuals with extremist views within the UK's immigration and probation systems.
The central issue remains why an individual convicted for illegal entry and found to have expressed violent antisemitic hatred has not been deported and is able to potentially profit from a social media platform while his asylum case is pending.
