Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
BBC News writer Jacqueline Howard reported that the Metropolitan Police chief has expressed his astonishment and disappointment over a scheduled demonstration in support of Palestine Action in London. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley emphasized the importance of the right to protest while noting that actions taken in support of the group exceed the boundaries of legitimate protest. The situation has prompted the home secretary to ready a statement for Parliament on Monday proposing the proscription of the group, essentially classifying it as a terrorist organization. This development follows an incident on Friday where Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and painted two military planes with red paint to protest the UK’s backing of Israel amid the conflict in Gaza.
The planned demonstration in central London has garnered support from 35 organizations, including various pro-Palestinian groups, the Stop the War Coalition, Cage, and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND). Sir Mark labeled Palestine Action as an “organized extremist criminal group” and highlighted that until the group is officially proscribed, the Metropolitan Police lacked the legal authority to prevent the protest. However, he stated that measures can be enforced to prevent disorder, damage, and significant disruption to the community, promising robust enforcement of the law in case of violations. Specific conditions for the protest will be disclosed by the Met once confirmed.
Palestine Action took to social media to criticize the labeling of the group as terrorists, asserting that while they are branded as such, the establishment is guilty of committing grave human rights violations. Member Saeed Taji Farouky denounced the government’s plans to proscribe the group as nonsensical, arguing that it undermines fundamental principles of British democracy and the rule of law. The group’s focus has primarily been on disrupting arms companies since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, claiming responsibility for incidents such as the defacement of a US military plane in Ireland. Farouky justified the group’s actions as a response to the escalation of the ongoing conflict, emphasizing their mission to disrupt the supply chain enabling what they perceive as genocide.
The incident at RAF Brize Norton was condemned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as “disgraceful,” with counter-terrorism authorities launching an investigation into the breach. The move to outlaw Palestine Action received support from some figures in Westminster, including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who lauded the decision. However, critics like Labour MP Zarah Sultana drew parallels to past protests against the Iraq war, questioning the suppression of dissenting voices. Amnesty International UK expressed unease over the utilization of counter-terrorism measures against peaceful protests. Demonstrations in London related to the Gaza conflict have been a regular occurrence since the military campaign initiated by Israel to combat Hamas following an attack in October 2023, resulting in a significant loss of life in the region
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.