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The review of the terrorism law used to apprehend hundreds of supporters of Palestine Action has been demanded by the Liberal Democrats. They expressed concerns that it could potentially stifle free speech. Following the arrest of over 500 individuals at a demonstration in support of the banned group by the Metropolitan Police last week, the call for the review was heightened.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, defended the decision to ban Palestine Action, stating that the group was not a non-violent organization, and the prohibition was based on clear security assessments. Concurrently, the Equality and Human Rights Commission voiced unease regarding the handling of protests relating to events in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. However, the Commission specifically cited concerns about protests not associated with any outlawed organization.
Palestine Action was banned by the government after they took credit for spraying jets at RAF Brize Norton in red. This criminalized both membership and support for the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Despite the seriousness of the group’s activities, the Liberal Democrats expressed worry about the use of anti-terrorism powers against peaceful protesters. They emphasized that violent actions or hate speech during protests could already be prosecuted under existing laws, such as the Public Order Act.
Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesperson, urged the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, to reevaluate the parts of the act utilized for the arrests. She stressed the importance of preventing future misuse of the legislation to safeguard free speech and democratic dissent. Yvette Cooper reiterated the violent nature of Palestine Action, emphasizing that they had engaged in violent attacks and criminal damage against national security infrastructure
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