PALESTINE

Fri 08 Aug 2025 2:57 pm - Jerusalem Time

The security contractor "Taz Milford".. a hater of Muslims leading aid distribution in Gaza.

A report by the American website "The Intercept" revealed that Johnny Melford, known as "Taz," is a foreign security contractor tasked with providing protection for the operations of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Melford has a cross tattoo typically associated with the far-right, raising questions about his motives and beliefs.

Melford belongs to the "Infidels Bikers Club," a group that includes veterans of American wars and private military companies like Blackwater, whose members have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Two sources familiar with the operations of "UG Solutions," which provides security for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, confirmed Melford's employment.

In May, Melford began recruiting individuals from his network via Facebook, asking anyone "still able to shoot, move, and communicate" to get in touch with him. As criticism grew, a spokesperson for "UG Solutions" stated that the company does not verify personal hobbies or affiliations that are unrelated to job performance or security standards.

The "Infidels" club was founded in 2006 by an American in Iraq and contains calls to support state efforts to combat "Islamic extremism." Club members celebrate icons of the Crusaders, reflecting their hostile attitudes toward Muslims. Melford, who has tattoos of crosses associated with the Crusades, disseminates messages that incite violence.

Medieval studies professor Matthew Gabriel believes that the Crusader symbols worn by Melford reflect an imagined conflict between Islam and Christianity, noting that these icons represent a kind of Christian revenge fantasy. Violent right-wing figures have cited the history of the Crusades to justify their actions.

In July, four Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Congress demanded that two private security companies provide clarifications regarding reports of their involvement in carrying out deadly operations against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, highlighting the risks associated with employing individuals like Melford in humanitarian operations.

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The security contractor "Taz Milford".. a hater of Muslims leading aid distribution in Gaza.

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