Publicly funded Birmingham arts venue to host ‘pro-armed resistance’ extremists
The Old Print Works is run and owned by Make It Sustainable, a charity that has received tens of thousands in government funding
A publicly-funded arts hub in Birmingham run by a charity “focused on creating an inclusive future” is hosting the launch event of an “unapologetically pro-armed resistance” group whose leaders rant about “Jewish supremacy”.
The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath, which describes itself as a “diverse and welcome community” is the venue on Sunday 8 February for the launch of the “Anti-Zionist Movement”, featuring notorious conspiracy theorists and employees of the Iranian regime.
As promoted by the “Activist Independent Movement” in collaboration with “Stop War Crimes Gaza” and “Palestine Pulse”, key participants will include Rahmeh Aladwan and David Miller.
Aladwan, a British-Palestinian doctor, is infamous for her persistent rants about “Jewish supremacy” in the UK. She was arrested twice by the police last year, with charges including malicious communications and inciting racial hatred. In November, a Medical Tribunal suspended Aladwan for 15 months while the GMC carries out a full investigation into her conduct.
Miller, who was fired by the University of Bristol in 2021, has since become a producer of a show for the Iranian regime’s Press TV and regularly talks about “Jewish supremacy” on Twitter, where he has also called on “Zionists” to be “targeted”.
Also promised are 58-year-old Palestinian activist Sami Al Soos, (an anti Zionist member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to cross the Mediterranean last year to bring a negligible amount of aid to Gaza); pro-Palestinian activist Maher Falastini, and former trade unionist Latifa Abouchakra, who works for Iranian state TV, who regularly rants about “Jewish supremacy” on social media.
In October 2023, ITV News apologised for platforming Abouchakra after it was revealed that after Hamas’ 7 October murderous attacks on Israel, she wrote on Instagram: “Nothing will ever be able to take back this moment, this moment of triumph, this moment of resistance, this moment of surprise, this moment of humiliation on behalf of the Zionist entity.”
Since November 2025, The Old Print Works – which has been funded to the tune of £70,000 by the tax payer – has been officially run and owned by ‘Make It Sustainable’, a charity that champions “teaching, sharing”, promoting “local resilience and cooperation” and whose mission statement claims its vision is focused on “creating a beautiful and inclusive future.”
The loan enabling that to happen came from Unity Trust Bank, “capital funding by UK Government, with revenue funding for the process from UK Government, Architectural Heritage Fund, Reach Fund and assistance from Locality.”
The charity is publicly listed as having six trustees and 35 volunteers; its Charity Commission page, referencing data for the financial year ending 31 May 2024, quotes £68,792 of its total income (£335,467) coming from three government grants.
When pro-Israel advocacy group Never Again highlighted the Old Print Works hosting what it bills “a night of antisemitic bile”, Rahmeh Aladwan mocked them, responding, “Do you people ever stop kvetching”, followed by a laughing emoji icon. Other commentators on the post remarked that her attending the event would likely be in breach of her bail conditions.
The Old Print Works, which has the same contact number as ‘Make It Sustainable’ has failed to respond to two requests from Jewish News for comment over the past five days.
Pro-Israel advocacy group Stop the Hate has organised a counter-protest on Sunday.
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