Simon El-Zeinab, a former member of the National Integration Council (Det Nationale Integrationsråd), has come under significant public scrutiny after participating in a demonstration supporting the slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The demonstration, which took place in Aarhus, Denmark, honored Haniyeh with a moment of silence following his death in an Israeli strike in Tehran.
El-Zeinab confirmed his attendance at the demonstration, emphasizing that he was there in a voluntary capacity as a security guard to ensure the event proceeded peacefully. “My role was to help maintain peace and order,” he stated in a communication to the Danish newspaper B.T., adding that he does not wish to give an interview on the matter.
This development follows shortly after El-Zeinab was sent home from his position at Aarhus Municipality, where he worked on crime prevention initiatives. The decision to send him home was prompted by a Facebook post that many interpreted as an homage to Haniyeh. Subsequently, El-Zeinab resigned from the National Integration Council, but he has repeatedly denied that his post was intended as a tribute.
Steffen Larsen, the legal spokesperson for the Liberal Alliance (Liberal Alliance), remarked that the new information supports claims that El-Zeinab honors the Hamas leader. Larsen argues that El-Zeinab’s role as a volunteer security guard indicates his support for the demonstration and, by extension, for the deceased Hamas leader. This, Larsen suggests, is at odds with El-Zeinab’s previous position in the Integration Council and his work as a role model.
Complications have further arisen with the discovery of a deleted Facebook comment from 2021, in which El-Zeinab reportedly refers to Hamas fighters as “heroes.” This comment was translated by B.T.’s Arabic-speaking sources, who confirmed its accuracy. El-Zeinab has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this comment.
Two years ago, El-Zeinab was appointed to the National Integration Council by Kaare Dybvad, the Minister for Integration and Immigration. However, with these new revelations, questions have been raised about his suitability for the role.