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Original poster

To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?

288 replies

PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 02:42

Palestine Action showed their true colours a long time ago. I strongly oppose a lot of Netanyahu's actions- I don't object to a protest for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That wasn't Palestine Action's agenda, though.

I would've thought people 60+ would have, on average, accumulated more wisdom. Young people have often been swept up into radical movements with dangerous agendas (look at 60s protestors who thought Castro & co.were nice etc). It's no excuse..but is a BIT easier to see why young people (student age) might fall for this kind of stuff. Also people now seem to have less media literacy, esp SM.

But why are 60+ year olds getting caught up in it?? Willing to go to prison? What is going on? This hasn't happened before with stuff like BLM or Extinction Rebellion, so what us going on now?

OP posts:
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9
noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:39

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:28

They aren’t a mob

Yes it is for the courts but what is wrong with making your thoughts known before a case

Haven't you noticed all the trans rights protests and GC protests prior to the SC ruling
People do demonstrate up to and whilst court procedures are going ahead

It’s everyone right

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They’re not just protesting, are they? They are deliberately trying to de-proscribe Palestine Action by making policing the proscription so expensive and so much of a pain the arse that the police and government essentially give up. Overwhelming the police with admin may not be overwhelming them with violence but it is certainly still trying to circumvent the normal legal process.

BadgernTheGarden · 10/10/2025 15:32

How many is so many? Pensioners aren't dead they still have their political and moral stand points also some have a lot of free time to support whatever it is they want to support. Not sure what % have been involved in these demonstrations, probably no bigger a % than the rest of the population.

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:28

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:25

Isn’t the designation for the courts to decide as unlawful, not pensioners? Or do we have mob rule?

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They aren’t a mob

Yes it is for the courts but what is wrong with making your thoughts known before a case

Haven't you noticed all the trans rights protests and GC protests prior to the SC ruling
People do demonstrate up to and whilst court procedures are going ahead

It’s everyone right

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:25

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:20

No
because they are maintaining their right to free speech upheld in this country and are keeping the unlawful designation live.

think this post answers your last one too @noblegiraffe

Edited
Show quote history

Isn’t the designation for the courts to decide as unlawful, not pensioners? Or do we have mob rule?

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:20

RedAdmirals · 10/10/2025 15:18

Because they are stupid enough to go out and protest/make a nuisance of themselves rather than letting the law take it's course.

They must be short of daytime soaps to watch 🙄

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No
because they are maintaining their right to free speech upheld in this country and are keeping the unlawful designation live.

think this post answers your last one too @noblegiraffe

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:19

MissyB1 · 10/10/2025 15:05

I totally condemn what Hamas did on October 7th. But I don’t automatically condemn all those who are labelled “terrorists” because it depends who has labelled them as such, and why. Remember Nelson Mandela was called a terrorist.

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Agree
conveniently accusing an organisation to one’s own political ends and to demonise the other

RedAdmirals · 10/10/2025 15:18

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:05

If the court case is in November and the decision is being reviewed, then what the bloody hell are these pensioners getting arrested for?

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Because they are stupid enough to go out and protest/make a nuisance of themselves rather than letting the law take it's course.

They must be short of daytime soaps to watch 🙄

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:17

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:08

I guess because the current designation is that PA are terrorists ??

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Yeah but so? “I don’t agree with the decision” “ok we will review it” “I don’t care”

what exactly is their desired outcome? Apparently not for the decision to be reviewed.

And as I said before “I support Palestine Action” means “I support attacks on our military bases and putting police officers in hospital”. They’re hardly a righteous cause.

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:15

PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:54

Come on, for one, beachcitygurl openly said October 7 was right. She's deleted now, but her posts condoning the IRA are still up

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So firstly it’s not people on this thread as people is plural

Your pp was wrong there

Its a person whom you consider to be in support of designated terrorist groups ie Hamas and the IRA

@beachcitygirl has not stated support for any.

Here’s all of their posts

To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 15:12

beaniebabby · 10/10/2025 08:03

60 years old is not elderly

It's not young or middle aged, it's old. That isn't ageist.

Exactly- it's like that police officer being horrible to the autistic girl who called her 'lesbian nana', when 'lesbian' isn't an insult & wasn't used that way. Being elderly is not an insult & I wasn't using it as one.

I have a LOT of respect for elderly people. My grandmother (in her 90s now) was basically my second parent. My post was asking why THESE elderly people apparently have lost all critical thinking skills and risk arrest for PA despite their open support for Hamas. I used to believe older people generally gained life wisdom.

I knew a lot of elderly people via my grandmother & none seemed so naive.. Obviously some will be, but I think it shows that generalisations about age groups are increasingly being proved wrong. Eg. Millenial generation are still quite left wing overall due to benefiting less from capitalism. And clearly 60s left wingers are not getting more conservative, at least in these cases!

OP posts:
Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 15:08

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:05

If the court case is in November and the decision is being reviewed, then what the bloody hell are these pensioners getting arrested for?

Show quote history

I guess because the current designation is that PA are terrorists ??

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 15:05

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 14:59

.
It’s not just a few pensioners that disagree with PA designated as a terrorist organisation.
It is a recognised abuse of the word by many including highly regarded world organisations

The Court case is in November

If the court case is in November and the decision is being reviewed, then what the bloody hell are these pensioners getting arrested for?

MissyB1 · 10/10/2025 15:05

PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:43

She doesn't condemn the IRA or anti-apartheid violence, either....🙄

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I totally condemn what Hamas did on October 7th. But I don’t automatically condemn all those who are labelled “terrorists” because it depends who has labelled them as such, and why. Remember Nelson Mandela was called a terrorist.

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 14:59

.
It’s not just a few pensioners that disagree with PA designated as a terrorist organisation.
It is a recognised abuse of the word by many including highly regarded world organisations

The Court case is in November

To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
To wonder why so many pensioners are supporting Palestine Action, even willing to risk prison for it ?
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:54

Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 14:49

Who has supported Hamas on this thread.
I’ve read all posts ( and gone back over ) including those deleted and not one has supported hamas

Can you screen shot these please

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Come on, for one, beachcitygurl openly said October 7 was right. She's deleted now, but her posts condoning the IRA are still up

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:53

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 09:59

The proscription of Palestine Action is being appealed in the courts so I've no idea why they would protest instead of letting the legal process take its course.

I suspect they don't actually know what they are protesting about. Interviews in the Guardian with some of those arrested talked about genocide in Gaza - which is fine, but the aren't protesting about genocide in Gaza, they are protesting about a group in the UK who have been proscribed in the UK for actions taken in the UK.

One of those arrested turned up on my thread about this to claim that the military planes that were damaged by Palestine Action were used to refuel Israeli bombers which is demonstrably false as they use different refueling systems. He also appeared to think that it was ok that Palestine Action put a police officer in hospital if it could be argued that they didn't use a sledgehammer to do it.

Palestine Action have a training manual and list targets that include other RAF bases. The slogan 'I support Palestine Action' means 'I support further attacks on the UK military at a time when we are essentially at war with Russia'. This is something that if it were foreigners were doing would be a huge concern for UK citizens.

So I think the pensioners being arrested are either stupid, or haven't actually done their research.

Indeed. Incredibly stupid, at best...

It just shows that propaganda from groups like Hamas can influence any age. I did feel rather indignant when papers were blaming Gen Z as being particularly stupid for supporting Hamas (as too many have) & being overly 'woke' etc etc Clearly a lot of people of all ages have been worryingly keen to believe PA are bravely standing up for freedom fighters ☹️

OP posts:
Plantatreetoday · 10/10/2025 14:49

PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:45

Thank you! People seem to be missing the point. Normally I would strongly disagree with banning an organisation but terrorist support is a red line.

Seeing people support Hamas openly on this thread is deeply worrying.

Show quote history

Who has supported Hamas on this thread.
I’ve read all posts ( and gone back over ) including those deleted and not one has supported hamas

Can you screen shot these please

Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:49

Greenwitchart · 10/10/2025 09:11

Do you expect pensioners to just stay at home knitting or watching soaps?

How patronising.

Today's pensioners would have been involved in protests as students and beyond and continued with their activism through life.

Also as pensioners I assume they have long run out of fucks to give and don't need to worry about getting a criminal record that might affect their work life.

I think they are amazing! It is important to support freedom of speech and the right to protest in this country.

Of course not. What I expect them to do is not turn out to support an organisation whose leaders openly support the terrorists Hamas. I think that's reasonable..

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:47

Kendodd · 10/10/2025 08:28

Interesting how voting for brexit is posted as a sign of lack of wisdom now. And not a single poster has disagreed Grin

I was pro Brexit. I still think the EU setup we had wasn't working, but it seems the other option was worse. I'm still thinking about it, let's not derail.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:45

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 12:21

I mean, Richard Barnard, the co-founder of Palestine Action is awaiting trial for expressing support for Hamas.

Another prominent member of Palestine Action, Sarah Wilkinson, has just been arrested on arrival back to the UK from the Gaza flotilla for her support for Hamas.

They're not a decent organisation.

Thank you! People seem to be missing the point. Normally I would strongly disagree with banning an organisation but terrorist support is a red line.

Seeing people support Hamas openly on this thread is deeply worrying.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessSophieFrederike · 10/10/2025 14:43

Bigminnie1 · 10/10/2025 06:48

Please tell me this is a typo - Jesus fucking Christ - you don’t condemn Hamas?

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She doesn't condemn the IRA or anti-apartheid violence, either....🙄

OP posts:
RanchRat · 10/10/2025 13:08

Lots of us old women have been standing up for what is right all our lives:

Free abortion on demand - a woman's right to choose.
Grunwicks
Kilner House
Thirteen dead. nothing said.
Free Nelson Mandela
Greenham
Troops Out
Women against pit closures
Stop the War
Extinction Rebellion
Black Lives Matter
Palestine Action

Maybe it's time for OP to step up, we won't be around much longer.

Sartre · 10/10/2025 12:39

Because they are retired so have no career to risk. Simple.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 10/10/2025 12:37

spoonbillstretford · 10/10/2025 08:27

Yeah, and it's all 80 year olds on the marches 🙄🙄🙄

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The THREAD is about pensioners.

Make your mind up about your topic.

noblegiraffe · 10/10/2025 12:21

I mean, Richard Barnard, the co-founder of Palestine Action is awaiting trial for expressing support for Hamas.

Another prominent member of Palestine Action, Sarah Wilkinson, has just been arrested on arrival back to the UK from the Gaza flotilla for her support for Hamas.

They're not a decent organisation.

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