A coalition of over 900 trade unionists, activists, politicians, and campaigners has signed an open letter denouncing the UK government’s recent ban on the protest group Palestine Action. The signatories describe the move as “a major assault on our freedoms.”
Palestine Action, renowned for its direct action protests against UK-based Israeli weapons factories and their supply chains, was officially proscribed under anti-terrorism laws earlier this month following a parliamentary vote. The ban criminalizes membership and support for the group, and a last-minute legal challenge to prevent the proscription was unsuccessful.
The open letter emphasizes that “peaceful protest tactics that damage property or disrupt business as usual to highlight the crimes of the powerful have a long and proud history.” It argues that such actions are especially urgent now in light of what they describe as Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
Among the signatories are singer Charlotte Church and veteran environmental and human rights activist Angie Zelter, who previously gained attention for disarming a BAE Hawk jet and destroying infrastructure linked to Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system, according to The Guardian.
Support also comes from elected representatives, including James Dornan, a Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cathcart, who recently tabled a motion calling for the Israeli military to be designated a terrorist organization.
+ There are no comments
Add yours