Protesters accuse government of ‘hypocrisy' over Palestine Action ban
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that violence and serious criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, while the prime minister condemned the actions as disgraceful.
Palestine Action and its supporters argue their direct actions are non-violent, justified, and effective in disrupting the flow of weapons from the UK to Israel.
Protesters accuse the government of 'hypocrisy' and a "complete clampdown on the right to protest," highlighting the group's effectiveness in impacting companies like Elbit Systems.
Proscription makes belonging to or supporting the organisation a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
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The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
PM's Europe ‘reset' has delivered change in French tactics on small boats: No 10
Sir Keir Starmer's 'reset' with Europe has delivered a change in French tactics on tackling small boats crossing the Channel, Downing Street has said. Number 10 said reports French police officers had used knives to puncture a boat in waters off the French coast for the first time were a 'significant moment' that could have 'a major impact' on smuggling gangs. A spokesman said: 'We welcome action from French law enforcement to take action in shallow waters, and what you have seen in recent weeks is a toughening of their approach.' The Government has repeatedly pushed for French authorities to do more to prevent boats leaving the shore, including changing existing rules to allow police officers to intervene when dinghies are in the water. Those changes have not yet come into effect, but reports on Friday suggested tougher action was already being taken. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she welcomed the reports, adding she had been 'working very closely with the French interior minister' to ensure the rules were changed 'as swiftly as possible'. Downing Street attributed the change in stance from French law enforcement was thanks to the Prime Minister's 'reset' in relations with Europe, as he has looked to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years. The spokesman said: 'No government has been able to get this level of co-operation with the French. That is important. 'We are looking to see France change its maritime tactics, and that is down to the Prime Minister's efforts to reset our relationship across Europe.' But a charity operating in northern France told the PA news agency that French police had already been intervening in crossing attempts in shallow waters despite the new rules not yet being in place. Kate O'Neill, advocacy coordinator at Project Play, said: 'This is not a new tactic … it's something that has been happening for a long time in Calais and surrounding areas.' She also warned it was a 'dangerous' tactic as children were 'often in the middle of the boats'. Responding to footage of Friday's incident broadcast by the BBC, Ms O'Neill said: 'The events taking place in the BBC coverage are not only upsetting to watch, but show clear evidence of police officers endangering a child.' She added: 'While talks are ongoing to allow the interception of boats in shallow water, it remains illegal at this time under maritime law and violates the obligations of the UK and France under international law – including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 'This footage highlights the danger involved in intercepting and slashing boats in the water, and we implore decision makers to consider the potentially fatal consequences of allowing this to take place even more frequently.' In its manifesto last year, Labour promised to 'smash the gangs' smuggling people across the Channel in small boats. But a year into Sir Keir's premiership, the number of people making the journey has increased to record levels. Some 20,600 people have made the journey so far this year, up 52% on the same period in 2024. Downing Street acknowledged that the numbers 'must come down', but could not guarantee that they would in the next year. On Friday, Ms Cooper said part of the reason for the increase in crossings was a rise in the number of people being crammed onto each boat. She suggested that all migrants who arrive on an overcrowded boat where a child has died should face prosecution. Ms Cooper told the BBC's Today programme it was 'totally appalling' that children were being 'crushed to death on these overcrowded boats, and yet the boat still continues to the UK'. The Government has already included a new offence of 'endangering life at sea' in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently making its way through Parliament. Ms Cooper has previously said this would allow the authorities to act against people 'involved in behaviour that puts others at risk of serious injury or death, such as physical aggression, intimidation, or rejecting rescue attempts'. But on Friday, she appeared to go further by suggesting even getting on an overcrowded boat could result in prosecution. She said: 'If you've got a boat where we've seen all of those people all climb on board that boat, they are putting everybody else's lives at risk.' Some 15 children are reported to have died while attempting the crossing in 2024, and Ms O'Neill told PA police tactics were making the situation more dangerous. During a series of broadcast interviews, Ms Cooper also declined to confirm reports the UK was looking at a 'one in, one out' policy that would see people who had crossed the Channel returned to Europe in exchange for asylum seekers with connections to Britain. Asked about the policy, she would only tell Sky News that ministers were 'looking at a range of different issues' and 'different ways of doing returns'. Sir Keir is expected to hold a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, at which efforts to tackle small boat crossings are likely to be high on the agenda.
South Wales Argus
42 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Branding Palestine Action terrorists ‘completely ludicrous', say supporters
Hundreds gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday where Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, is asking the High Court to temporarily block the Government from proscribing the group as a terrorist organisation. Among the fluttering flags of green, black, white and red were demonstrators holding signs saying 'Free Palestine' and 'We are all Palestine Action'. Hundreds gathered waving Palestinian flags outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Lucy North/PA) Others masked themselves in sunglasses and a keffiyeh while speakers took turns to address the crowd through a PA system. Sara, who was standing on the edge of the crowd, said many of the supporters present were carrying 'a lot of rage and anger' about the violence in Gaza. She said: 'We think that the British Government needs to stop funding the genocidal regime in Palestine against Palestinians. 'They need to listen to protest groups instead of this massive overreach which is trying to stifle legitimate resistance and protest against one of the most horrific instances of violence against humanity in our time.' One woman, who preferred not to be named, stood in the shade next to a pile of pink boxes containing cupcakes decorated with Palestinian flags. She said she was raising money to send to a friend in Gaza because the price of basic food there has become so high. Speaking outside court, she said: 'I think it's completely ludicrous that the Government is, rather than stopping supporting a genocide that is happening, they would rather criminalise people who are trying to stop it on the Government's behalf, seeing as though they are not doing anything. 'They have a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to do all they can to prevent genocide. And they are choosing to, rather than follow their obligations, remain an active participant in this genocide. 'So civilians of conscience have decided to take up the mantle instead and do what they can.' David Cannon, chairman of the Jewish Network for Palestine, stood wearing a sunhat and bore on his shoulder a white banner adorned with a Palestine flag and the name of his organisation. His Jewish upbringing made him proud of Israel, he said, until he realised that the conflict in Gaza has been a 'slow-burn genocide for the last 80 years'. He said: 'Israel is founded on stolen land and stolen lives. It has not only stolen Palestinian land and lives, it has also stolen the identity of Jewish religion. 'So it's vital that there is a Jewish voice saying there is nothing Jewish about apartheid, nothing Jewish about ethnic cleansing, nothing Jewish about genocide. 'The (UK) Government are desperate to stifle free speech which is trying to point out the truth. It's a desperate action and it may well backfire.' Not every protester outside the court building was there in support of Palestine Action. A small group of pro-Israel demonstrators were also present (Lucy North/PA) A small group stood across the street, next to several police officers, holding up a blue and white banner that said 'there is no genocide in Gaza'. Mark Birbeck, from the pro-Israel group, called Our Fight, said they do not support the aims of Palestine Action but neither do they support them becoming a proscribed terrorist organisation. Speaking on the street, he said: 'We don't actually support proscribing Palestine Action. 'We don't think they are a terrorist organisation, and in fact our argument is that it makes a mockery of what terrorism is. 'It's bizarre that (the Government) is presenting this as some kind of aggressive step. 'My suspicion is that Palestine Action are going to run rings around them. 'These people know what they are doing. 'I don't agree with them, I don't agree with their politics, but they've been doing this for years. 'Our argument against Palestine Action though is not that they are terrorists, but what we do believe they are doing is trying to claim the moral high ground and effectively they are doing that to isolate Israel.'
Leader Live
44 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Branding Palestine Action terrorists ‘completely ludicrous', say supporters
Hundreds gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday where Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, is asking the High Court to temporarily block the Government from proscribing the group as a terrorist organisation. Among the fluttering flags of green, black, white and red were demonstrators holding signs saying 'Free Palestine' and 'We are all Palestine Action'. Others masked themselves in sunglasses and a keffiyeh while speakers took turns to address the crowd through a PA system. Sara, who was standing on the edge of the crowd, said many of the supporters present were carrying 'a lot of rage and anger' about the violence in Gaza. She said: 'We think that the British Government needs to stop funding the genocidal regime in Palestine against Palestinians. 'They need to listen to protest groups instead of this massive overreach which is trying to stifle legitimate resistance and protest against one of the most horrific instances of violence against humanity in our time.' One woman, who preferred not to be named, stood in the shade next to a pile of pink boxes containing cupcakes decorated with Palestinian flags. She said she was raising money to send to a friend in Gaza because the price of basic food there has become so high. Speaking outside court, she said: 'I think it's completely ludicrous that the Government is, rather than stopping supporting a genocide that is happening, they would rather criminalise people who are trying to stop it on the Government's behalf, seeing as though they are not doing anything. 'They have a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to do all they can to prevent genocide. And they are choosing to, rather than follow their obligations, remain an active participant in this genocide. 'So civilians of conscience have decided to take up the mantle instead and do what they can.' David Cannon, chairman of the Jewish Network for Palestine, stood wearing a sunhat and bore on his shoulder a white banner adorned with a Palestine flag and the name of his organisation. His Jewish upbringing made him proud of Israel, he said, until he realised that the conflict in Gaza has been a 'slow-burn genocide for the last 80 years'. He said: 'Israel is founded on stolen land and stolen lives. It has not only stolen Palestinian land and lives, it has also stolen the identity of Jewish religion. 'So it's vital that there is a Jewish voice saying there is nothing Jewish about apartheid, nothing Jewish about ethnic cleansing, nothing Jewish about genocide. 'The (UK) Government are desperate to stifle free speech which is trying to point out the truth. It's a desperate action and it may well backfire.' Not every protester outside the court building was there in support of Palestine Action. A small group stood across the street, next to several police officers, holding up a blue and white banner that said 'there is no genocide in Gaza'. Mark Birbeck, from the pro-Israel group, called Our Fight, said they do not support the aims of Palestine Action but neither do they support them becoming a proscribed terrorist organisation. Speaking on the street, he said: 'We don't actually support proscribing Palestine Action. 'We don't think they are a terrorist organisation, and in fact our argument is that it makes a mockery of what terrorism is. 'It's bizarre that (the Government) is presenting this as some kind of aggressive step. 'My suspicion is that Palestine Action are going to run rings around them. 'These people know what they are doing. 'I don't agree with them, I don't agree with their politics, but they've been doing this for years. 'Our argument against Palestine Action though is not that they are terrorists, but what we do believe they are doing is trying to claim the moral high ground and effectively they are doing that to isolate Israel.'
