Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that just because you say something about Israel and Gaza does not mean that you should be threatened with arrest under the terrorism act?

482 replies

cakeorwine · 18/07/2025 18:59

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/armed-police-threatened-to-arrest-kent-protester-for-holding-palestinian-flag

She had a sign saying "Free Gaza" and "Israel is committing genocide"

She was threatened with arrest under the terrorism act because a certain group that has been deemed to be a terrorist group also share those same views - and therefore the lady was supporting a terrorist group.

In the encounter, which she filmed, one officer told her: “Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.”

He went on to say that the phrase “Free Gaza” was “supportive of Palestine Action”, adding it was an offence “to express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Palestine Action is an offence under section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act”. The officer told her she had committed that offence.

I can think of many groups who share those same beliefs. Having that belief does not mean you support that group.

A Kent police spokesperson said: “Under the Terrorism Act it is a criminal offence to carry or display items that may arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action.”

Armed police threatened to arrest Kent protester for holding Palestinian flag

Officers accused Laura Murton who also had a sign saying ‘Free Gaza’ of supporting a proscribed organisation

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/armed-police-threatened-to-arrest-kent-protester-for-holding-palestinian-flag

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Whereismyjoiedevivre · 18/07/2025 19:11

I couldn’t agree with you more OP. This is horrifying. The sign she was holding didn’t proclaim support for the proscribed organisation. What’s happening in Gaza is genocide.

Has anyone seen the BBC Verify article on the BBC website today showing the areas of Gaza that have been razed to the ground and are being bulldozed over? It’s worth reading if you have a strong stomach and if you put your hand over your mouth to stop yourself from screaming in disgust, disbelief and horror.

cakeorwine · 18/07/2025 19:11

Dangermoo · 18/07/2025 19:09

Ooh another goady thread about Israel.

This is NOT about Israel.
This is about what you can and cannot say in public without the threat of arrest under the terrorism act

OP posts:
cakeorwine · 18/07/2025 19:10

Dangermoo · 18/07/2025 19:09

Ooh another goady thread about Israel.

Do you think saying "Free Gaza" means you should be threatened with arrest under the terrorism act?

OP posts:
Dangermoo · 18/07/2025 19:09

Ooh another goady thread about Israel.

Themomentsheknewshefkedup · 18/07/2025 19:08

People have become so anti Israel that they have become pro terrorist.

cakeorwine · 18/07/2025 19:07

That video is amazing.

Saying they are concerned about their safety as someone could take offence.

Saying that they are expressing an opinion supportive of a prescribed organisation.

I think they got that wrong - they are sharing an opinion that the prescribed organisation also shares.

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 18/07/2025 19:04

This government are very draconian. They seem to be erasing freedom of speech and the freedom to protest. Arresting elderly ladies and people holding up signs is not a good use of police time.