Latest news with #ProPalestine
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Pro-Palestine protesters at Wimbledon over Barclays sponsorship
Pro-Palestine protesters at Wimbledon over Barclays sponsorship NewsFeed Pro-Palestine activists rallied outside Wimbledon on the first day of the tennis championships in London to protest tournament sponsorship by Barclays Bank, who they say helps to finance Israel's war on Gaza. Barclays says it is not a 'shareholder' or 'investor' in defence companies supplying Israel. Video Duration 00 minutes 43 seconds 00:43 Video Duration 00 minutes 56 seconds 00:56 Video Duration 00 minutes 31 seconds 00:31 Video Duration 02 minutes 28 seconds 02:28 Video Duration 01 minutes 11 seconds 01:11 Video Duration 02 minutes 06 seconds 02:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 14 seconds 01:14
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pro-Palestine campaigner accused of bombarding Labour MP with anti-semitic emails
A Pro-Palestine campaigner has been accused of bombarding Labour MP Helen Hayes with anti-Semitic emails. Austin Crick, 55, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Friday after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of the MP. He is said to have sent the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood anti-Semitic emails concerning the ongoing Israeli-Gaza conflict. The prosecution say the constituent had sent emails on February 21, March 4 and April 9 and May 20. Hayes, 50, has been the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood since 2015 and Crick resides in East Dulwich. Wearing a white shirt, dark red tie with a large Palestinian badge attached to his jacket, Crick indicated a not guilty plea and elected for a Crown Court trial. Prosecutor Medinat Muhammed told the court: 'The defendant repeatedly sent anti-Semitic emails to his MP. 'They relate to the ongoing crisis between Israel and Gaza.' The court heard that Hayes, who is the current Chair of House of Commons Education Select Committee, took the decision to report Crick to the police because his behaviour was effecting members of her team. Crick was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 25 on condition he does not contact the MP or her senior parliamentary assistant Niall Adams.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Israel blasts BBC for failing to cut live broadcast of punk duo Bob Vylan's 'death to the IDF' chants amid calls to arrest singer - as he revels in the fury while tucking into ice cream
Israel has condemned the BBC and Glastonbury after a pro-Palestine punk act called for the death of Israeli soldiers during a live broadcast from the festival. Police have launched a probe into the comments made by Bob Vylan, who led chants of 'Free Palestine ' and 'Death to the IDF', on Saturday afternoon. The singer from the band, who keeps his identity secret, also declared 'from the river to the sea Palestine… will be free' – regarded by many in the Jewish community as a call for Israel's elimination. However, singer and guitarist Bobby Vylan, who performs alongside his bandmate Bobbie Vylan, revelled in the fury caused by his comments on Saturday evening. Sharing a photo of himself eating an ice cream, he wrote on his Instagram story: 'While Zionists are crying on socials, I've just had a late night (vegan) ice cream. Bob Vylan's entire performance was live-streamed on the BBC iPlayer but it has since been taken down. Nevertheless, the corporation was lambasted for failing to cut the broadcast immediately after the anti-Semitic chanting. Shockingly, its live stream continued for another 40 minutes until the end of Bob Vylan's performance. The incident prompted calls for the band members to be arrested over claims they had incited violence. Avon and Somerset Police last night said they were examining video evidence and investigating if any offence had been committed. The broadcast plunged the BBC into a major crisis with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy demanding 'an urgent explanation' from BBC director-general Tim Davie into 'what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance'. A government spokesman said: 'We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.' Lord Ian Austin – the Government's trade envoy to Israel – said: 'The police should investigate as a matter of urgency and, if necessary, arrest the band members.' Tory MP Greg Stafford said: 'If someone can be jailed for inciting racial hatred on social media, then surely this band should be investigated for inciting violence at the very least. Somerset Police should arrest them and carry out an investigation immediately.' Sharren Haskel, Israel's deputy foreign minister, also slammed the performance. She told The Mail on Sunday: 'I condemn the BBC for continuing to live-stream anti-Israel hate speech from Glastonbury. 'What do you think the BBC would have done had a performer been shouting anti-Muslim or far-Right hate speech? They would have pulled the feed. 'But because the target is Israel – let's be honest, because it's Jews – it's tolerated, even broadcast. This is clearly incitement.' The BBC later pulled the offending incident from its footage on iPlayer. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the comments 'grotesque', adding: 'Glorifying violence against Jews isn't edgy. The cultural establishment needs to wake up to the fact this isn't protest, it's incitement.' The singer, who keeps his identity secret, also led a chant of 'free, free Palestine ', and declared 'from the river to the sea Palestine… will be free' Danny Cohen, former director of BBC Television, said: 'That something like this might happen could easily have been foreseen by the BBC and measures could have been taken to prevent its broadcast. 'This is a very serious failure, and further evidence that BBC management are blind to their responsibility to Britain's Jewish community.' Bob Vylan, who formed eight years ago in London, refuse to reveal their real names because of what they call the 'surveillance state'. Instead the singer calls himself Bobby Vylan and the drummer Bobbie Vylan. Addressing the crowd of around 30,000, Bobby said he had to be 'careful' because their performance was 'live on the BBC'. He then, however, led the 'free, free Palestine' chant, then changing it to 'death, death to the IDF'. 'Hell, yeah, from the river to the sea Palestine must, will be, Inshallah, it will be free,' he added. The singer also backed controversial Northern Irish band Kneecap, who were following them on the West Holts stage, by describing music executives who called for the group to be banned as 'Zionists '. In another hugely embarrassing blow for the BBC, he also used the highly offensive c-word. May Golan, Israel's minister for social equality, said: 'Perhaps someone should tell that anti-Semitic band what happened to the hundreds of innocent people at Israel's Nova music festival who were murdered, raped, butchered, and kidnapped by savage monsters.' The BBC decided not to stream Kneecap live. Instead an edited version of the performance was due to be put on the iPlayer. It came ten days after Kneecap member Liam O'hAnnaidh, 27, appeared in court charged with a terror offence, prompting the Prime Minister to say it was 'not appropriate' for the band to be playing Glastonbury. Bandmate Naoise Ó Caireallain called on the crowd to 'riot' outside Westminster magistrates in August when the case returns to court. Kneecap started their performance this afternoon by chanting 'F*** Keir Starmer'. They also spoke out in support of Palestine Action, which the government wants to proscribe as a terror group. Glastonbury had said all were welcome at the festival but added it 'does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers.' Bob Vylan is the UK's self-proclaimed 'most violent boy band' whose singer attended his first pro-Palestine protest at the age of 15. Bob Vylan is the UK's self-proclaimed 'most violent boy band' whose singer attended his first pro-Palestine protest at the age of 15 and whose music fuses punk, grime and hip hop At Glastonbury today, Bobby Vylan said: 'We're seeing the UK and the US be complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people... Anybody with any moral compass can surely see that what is happening over there in Gaza is a tragedy. Former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, 64, also issued a call to 'Free Palestine' during an appearance at a discussion event at Glastonbury yesterday. And he criticised bosses at the BBC for not being impartial. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. 'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. 'We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
New laws against blocking access to places of worship, schools coming, Fraser says
Pro-Palestine protesters and pro-Israel protesters face off at a demonstration at a synagogue in Thornhill, Ont., Thursday, March 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn OTTAWA — Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the Liberal government will press ahead with plans for new criminal provisions against blocking access to places or worship, schools and community centres. The measures, promised during the recent federal election campaign, would also create a criminal offence of wilfully intimidating or threatening people attending events at these venues. The minister's statement comes as civil libertarians point to existing provisions intended to curb such behaviour and push back against the idea of new measures that could infringe on freedom of expression and assembly. Tensions have risen in Canadian communities over public protests, many prompted by the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Several Canadian municipalities have taken steps recently to mandate 'bubble zones' that restrict protest activity near such places as religious institutions, schools and child care centres. 'It's not lost on me that there will be different levels of government that try to address this challenge in different ways,' Fraser said, adding that the federal government has an opportunity — where behaviour crosses a criminal threshold — to legislate in that space. 'We clearly have seen challenges when it comes to certain religious communities in Canada who are facing extraordinary discrimination — antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate,' Fraser said in a recent interview. 'People need to know that in Canada they are free to pray to the God of their choice and to, at the same time, freely express themselves, but not to the point where you threaten the protected Charter rights of a religious minority.' James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, said he questions the need for new provisions and suggests politicians are proposing penalties simply to appear to be doing something. He said existing laws against mischief, nuisance and interfering with religious celebrations can be used to deal with the kinds of behaviour the federal government wants to address. 'I haven't heard a single thing that isn't already illegal, so it's a waste of time. It adds confusion to the Criminal Code and it suggests that they're only engaged in performative activity,' Turk said. 'They want to be seen to be doing something about this pressure they're under.' Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, director of the fundamental freedoms program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, also said she wonders about the scope of the proposed new federal provisions 'and if they are necessary or simply duplicative of existing criminal offences.' Bussières McNicoll said it's important to remember that a protest might be disruptive but also protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms' guarantee of peaceful assembly. 'As a parent myself, I know that any protest can be sometimes scary for a child. We're talking about loud voices, huge crowds, emotions are running high,' she said. 'So I believe it's part of my role as a parent to teach my child about what living in a democracy means, why we need protests, why we need space in our society for strong language — including language that we disagree with — and to teach my child about what we can do if we personally disagree with speech that we hear.' Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada, said that while the organization welcomes the planned new federal provisions, additional federal measures are needed. B'nai Brith wants national 'vulnerable infrastructure legislation' that would prohibit protests within a certain distance of a place of worship or school, or perhaps during specific time periods, if they interfere with someone's ability to attend the institutions, Robertson said. 'That would remove the need for municipalities and provinces to adopt legislation, and it would send a clear message that across Canada, individuals do not have the right to prevent others from accessing their houses of worship and their community centres and cultural institutions.' With files from Anja Karadeglia This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
SNP 'failing' to keep care leavers out of temporary housing
But a recent report revealed ministers were on course to miss the flagship target. Now, figures obtained by The Herald through freedom of information (FOI) requests, shows that 1,049 adults leaving the care system in 2024 were placed in temporary accommodation. These figures only cover 23 of Scotland's 32 local authorities, meaning the scale of the problem could be far higher. WhoCares? Scotland told The Herald its helpline is inundated with housing support requests, while 440 care leavers over the age of 16 raised concern between 2021 and 2024, while 37% were homeless. It comes as the Scottish Government unveils new legislative plans to help meet The Promise. However, it fails to remove the 2022 pause on prioritising social housing for care leavers. Read more: SNP must 'reinstate housing pledge for care leavers' Sturgeon urges Scotgov to pick up pace on 'promise' to vulnerable kids 'People will die': Housing Secretary urged to end 'political choice' of homelessness Scottish Tory MSP Roz McCall told The Herald: "This data lays bare the Scottish Government's failure to uphold its most basic duty to care-experienced young people: to ensure they have a safe and secure home. "Temporary accommodation is not a long-term solution, and the scale of the crisis is deeply alarming. "Behind every number is a young person who's been through the care system and is now being let down again. "Ministers talk about Keeping the Promise, but these figures show a government that is still not listening." "We cannot let this fall through the cracks," Ms McCall, who is a Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, added. "If the Government is serious about changing outcomes, we need proper accountability, consistent data, and a national housing guarantee for care-experienced adults." The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) Bill proposes extending the aftercare support currently available for 16 to 26-year-olds who were in care on their 16th birthday to those who had left care beyond that point. It aims to introduce smoother transitions between children's and adult services. The recording of care leavers in temporary accommodation varies widely across local government, with the charity warning The Promise cannot be met unless the true scale of the problem is known. Edinburgh and Glasgow had the highest number of care leavers in temporary accommodation, with 131 and 142 respectively. However areas like Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, West Lothian and Ayrshire also recorded high levels. The figures in these areas could also be higher as local authorities either do not ask the question on housing applications, or the care leaver does not declare it. Read more: 15,000 jobs at risk from 'irreversible' UK inheritance tax changes Pro Palestine campaign group to be banned, says Home Secretary Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former FM Louise Hunter, chief executive of WhoCares? Scotland, said: 'Everyone deserves a safe, secure home – a foundation that allows them to build a life, feel connected, and plan for their future. 'But this data shows that too many care experienced people are being placed in temporary accommodation, facing instability and uncertainty. 'Housing is consistently one of our top advocacy issues that we support care experienced people aged 16 and over with. 'But behind each number is a person who has experienced care and is now being let down by a system that should protect them. 'If Scotland is serious about Keeping the Promise, we must recognise that a stable home is not a privilege, it is a right.' The charity heard care leavers are often not given any say on their housing placement, with one reporting she was forced to take a flat on the same street her father was murdered. In February, the oversight board - a group created to monitor progress to meeting the promise - warned the Scottish Government was not even halfway there to keeping The Promise, while stressing there was no "reasonable explanation" for delay. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Young people leaving care from age 16 are a priority for having their housing needs met and social landlords should also consider care leavers when they allocate houses. 'We are investing £768 million this year in affordable housing, including £40 million to support acquisitions of existing properties to increase the supply of social and affordable homes with 80% of the funding targeting the five local authorities facing the most sustained temporary accommodation pressures. 'The Cabinet Secretary for Housing is determined to ensure that the Housing (Scotland) Bill delivers strengthened rights for everyone experiencing homelessness, including those leaving care.'
