Government ignored warnings about proscribing Palestine Action

JVL Introduction

It seems that the government was hell bent on banning Palestine Action despite warnings from its own advisers that such a move could be divisive and could also enhance the organisation’s profile.  Among other things a report contained “…a community impact assessment, (which) said a ban under terrorism laws could heighten Muslim-Jewish tensions and be perceived as government bias in favour of Israel.” (my emph Ed)

Many, sickened by Israel’s genocide in Gaza and intensely frustrated and angry at the lack of action from our own government to stop it, have stepped up with hige numbers peacefully protesting the ban as well as the genocide. As a result there have been c 2,000 arrests, often of elderly and disabled people which makes the ban look even more ridiculous.

This article provides further evidence that the government was actigm ideologically and not related to people’s safety or to suppress terrorism. Meanwhile police, court, defendants and lawyers’ (and activists) time is being wasted prosecuting people.

We await the outcome of the Judicial Review which takes place at the end of this month.

LL

This article was originally published by The Guardian on Tue 11 Nov 2025. Read the original here.