UK Friends of Standing Together statement on the proscription of Palestine Action

UK Friends of Standing Together condemns the proscription, under anti-terror laws, of Palestine Action, which is part of a wider clampdown on free speech and the right to protest.

Whilst UKFoST supporters have a range of views on Palestine Action’s perspectives and strategies, as an organisation we believe using anti-terrorism legislation against civil disobedience is chilling.

It has now been over a month since the joint statement by the UK, French, and Canadian governments promising tougher action against the war of annihilation being inflicted on Gaza. Despite continued bombings, shootings at aid centres, and other atrocities, little has been done to enact the commitments made in the joint statement.

Instead of proscribing protest groups as terrorists, the UK government should focus on doing more to prevent ongoing atrocities and promote peace in Palestine and Israel, including by:

• Ending arms exports to Israel
• Recognising the state of Palestine
• Increasing aid to Gaza and the West Bank, both directly and by demanding Israel lift restrictions on UN aid agencies
• Using all political and diplomatic channels to support a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.

Posted 4 July