Sarwar: Palestine Action are hijacking the Palestinian cause
Speaking to journalists in Glasgow, Mr Sarwar said what was happening in Gaza was 'completely and utterly unacceptable' and 'a stain on the international community'.
'What you are seeing is the collective punishment of an entire population, clear breaches of international law from an Israeli government that seems out of control," he said.
'It seems to me that Benjamin Netanyahu is more interested in staying in power and staying out of jail than he is about doing the right thing or trying to find peace – both for his citizens and for the citizens of his neighbours.'
Anas Sarwar hit out at Bob Vylan and Palestine Action (Image: Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Sarwar said those using the name of Palestine to break into RAF facilities and attempt to "tamper with jets" were "doing a disservice to the cause that they claim to represent."
'There are so many phenomenal pro-Palestinian organisations who do not fall for acts of vandalism or attacks on our defence infrastructure or attacks on our defence community, or indeed fall into prejudice and hate,' he said.
'They rightly speak out against violence and for peace – not just peace abroad, but peace and security here at home, too.
'And I think those people who use the name of Palestine to do such horrific actions should face the full force of law.'
Mr Sarwar's comments came after Palestine Action announced plans to challenge the UK Government's bid to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.
An urgent hearing was held in the High Court on Monday relating to a judicial review application by one of the group's founders, Huda Ammori. A further hearing will be held on Friday to decide whether the Government can temporarily be blocked from banning the group, pending a full legal challenge.
The decision to proscribe Palestine Action followed an incident on June 20 in which two planes were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton. Five people have since been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence.
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'I do support the actions of the Home Secretary,' Mr Sarwar said. 'Those people do not speak for Palestinian people and for peace. They are spoilers who are hijacking a cause for their own end.
'Because I would much rather the headline wasn't about an attack on RAF Brize Norton, or headlines about what someone sings at Glastonbury. I would much rather the conversation and headlines were about the suffering of the Palestinian people and what we need to do to confront that.'
Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF'Meanwhile, the bands Kneecap and Bob Vylan are facing criminal investigations over their performances at Glastonbury Festival.
Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap-punk duo, led crowds in chants of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Death, death to the IDF'.
The BBC has expressed regret at not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's performance, saying the 'antisemitic sentiments' expressed were 'utterly unacceptable'.
A member of Kneecap, who performed directly after Bob Vylan on the West Holts Stage, suggested fans 'start a riot' at his bandmate's forthcoming court appearance related to a terrorism charge.
During their set, the group also shouted 'f*** Keir Starmer' from the stage, after the Prime Minister called for them to be removed from the festival line-up.
Asked if he felt the discourse around Glastonbury had been a distraction, Mr Sarwar said: 'The BBC have to act appropriately. The organisers of Glastonbury have to act appropriately.
'But again, the plea I would make is: there were lots of chants for the Palestinian people – understandably and rightly.
'There were lots of chants around 'Free Palestine', for example, and with the continued illegal occupation, all of that is perfectly fair and reasonable.
'And I think the focus here should be on the actions of an Israeli government that seems out of control, on the hostages that need to get home, and on the Palestinian people who deserve to live in peace, freedom and security – just like the people of Israel deserve to live in peace, freedom and security.
'That's what the conversation should be about, rather than attention-seeking individuals at a music concert who want the headlines to be about them.
'I want the headlines to be about the suffering of Palestinian people, and what we need to do to confront that.'
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