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Conflict in the Middle East

At long last the police are cracking down on hard marches

338 replies

mids2019 · 13/07/2025 05:21

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6mjg13dz6o

I think it's great that the police are starting to take supporting terrorists seriously and are now using anti terror legislation to start making the arrests that should have happened some time ago. As predicted as the Gaza conflict has ground on there are more and more pro Palestine looks prepared to flirt with proscribed groups.

Maybe some halal time or fines will make these people think a bit more.

A number of police officers on a road with some members of the public taking photos and filming. The police appear to be carrying a person although only their foot can be seen in the image.

More than 70 arrests at Palestine Action ban protests

The protests - and the arrests - come after the pro-Palestinian group was proscribed as a terror organisation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6mjg13dz6o

OP posts:
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marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 13/07/2025 09:12

If only they cared as much about children being mown down whilst waiting for food in Gaza as they do about the people protesting about it. Keir Starmer is in the wrong party.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:11

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Dangermoo · 13/07/2025 09:11

I agree; the terrorists are now being harshly dealt with. I have to laugh that it's always those demanding peace, who act the most violent. They are nothing more than bullies. Always the same with this rabble, when they don't get what they demand. Peace protests, my eye.

EasternStandard · 13/07/2025 09:10

This isn’t due to protest, it’s related to supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation which is illegal.

mouthpipette · 13/07/2025 09:09

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 09:02

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

British values are clearly defined not "an entirely subjective thing". They are:

Democracy
This is an understanding of how all citizens have a role in influencing the democratic process. Democracy also means being willing to listen to views that are different from your own, and being free to express your own opinions.

Rule of Law
This means appreciating that laws exist as an essential way of protecting the safety, freedom and rights of individuals. As laws protect everyone, each person has a responsibility to follow the rule of law

Individual Liberty
This is an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold faiths and beliefs is protected in law

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths
This means accepting different faiths or beliefs (or no faith or belief), and not acting in a prejudicial or discriminatory way against someone because of their beliefs

https://theskillsnetwork.com/documents/safeguarding/British%20Values.pdf

British values;
Those qualities of; democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect that define and are unique to the UK. The sooner other countries adopts these, the sooner that the world will be a far fairer and better place.
Rule Britannia.

Corinthiana · 13/07/2025 09:07

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 08:48

A very thoughtful post @cariadlet

I agree that the Palestine Action group are not in the same league as groups like the IRA, Al quada or Isis.

However, they are a designated a terrorist organisation and some members did cause criminal damage, as you say.

People who wish to march for Palestine are able to do so peacefully and not align themselves with groups that cause criminal damage.

This, your last paragraph exactly.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:04

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 09:02

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

British values are clearly defined not "an entirely subjective thing". They are:

Democracy
This is an understanding of how all citizens have a role in influencing the democratic process. Democracy also means being willing to listen to views that are different from your own, and being free to express your own opinions.

Rule of Law
This means appreciating that laws exist as an essential way of protecting the safety, freedom and rights of individuals. As laws protect everyone, each person has a responsibility to follow the rule of law

Individual Liberty
This is an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold faiths and beliefs is protected in law

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths
This means accepting different faiths or beliefs (or no faith or belief), and not acting in a prejudicial or discriminatory way against someone because of their beliefs

https://theskillsnetwork.com/documents/safeguarding/British%20Values.pdf

Most of those things are simply universal values held by decent people, so dressing them up as "British values" in an attempt to claim hegemony is nothing more than another example of the jingoistic tripe typical of those who throw the term around.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 09:02

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

British values are clearly defined not "an entirely subjective thing". They are:

Democracy
This is an understanding of how all citizens have a role in influencing the democratic process. Democracy also means being willing to listen to views that are different from your own, and being free to express your own opinions.

Rule of Law
This means appreciating that laws exist as an essential way of protecting the safety, freedom and rights of individuals. As laws protect everyone, each person has a responsibility to follow the rule of law

Individual Liberty
This is an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold faiths and beliefs is protected in law

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths
This means accepting different faiths or beliefs (or no faith or belief), and not acting in a prejudicial or discriminatory way against someone because of their beliefs

https://theskillsnetwork.com/documents/safeguarding/British%20Values.pdf

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 08:54

@Beachtastic

If you "don't identify as British" then presumably you don't really share British values?

Define "British values". For me this is an entirely subjective thing from one individual to another. All "British values" means to me is exceptionalism, flag-waving jingoistic nonsense, hooliganism, and revolting cuisine, so no I don't share the values I perceive as British.

Against a background of stabbings, car rammings and bombings, personally I think it's understandable to be nervous about an organisation that meets covertly to plan and carry out attacks on military sites, government buildings and Jewish businesses. I don't want to live in a country that turns a blind eye to another Kristallnacht

Hyperbolic nonsense.

PA have carried out no stabbings, car rammings, or bombings, so citing these things as some sort of justification for proscribing PA is risible. They may well, carry out "attacks" on military sites and businesses involved in military supply chain, but it's a long established legal precept that civilians have every right to intervene, including taking actions which might ordinarily constitute criminal acts themselves, if it's done so in the belief that their own government is acting illegally. This is entirely why PA has been proscribed, because the government knows that any attempt to actually prosecute PA activists through existing laws will fall flat for much the same reason people who intrude on UK nuclear weapons sites are never prosecuted successfully. Proscribing PA permits the State to repress them without embarrassing itself in court or having to explain it's own illegal, criminal behaviour.

Please provide something of substance that suggests PA plan to attack Jewish businesses simply because they are Jewish.

While you are at it, perhaps you could do us a favour and enlighten us as to which acts of terror alleged "terrorist group" PA have actually inflicted on the UK populace? Throwing paint and disrupting supply chains are not acts of terror.

With your highly refined critical thinking hat on, perhaps do some research into the accepted meaning of "genocide" and the threat Israel faces from countries that want to wipe it and Jewish people off the face of the Earth

"Facing a threat" is no casus belli for embarking on a years long, orchestrated campaign using the military machine to indiscriminately murder civilians. Israel might just have been able to swing the "unfortunate collateral damage" nonsense but for the fact this is just the most recent development in a near 80 year long campaign of barbarity and inhumanity directed at Palestinians, were it not for senior Israeli politicians openly admitting to a concerted effort to eradicate the Palestinian people, and were it not for the abundant evidence of Israel's conduct and methodology in Gaza going way beyond anything recognisable as a campaign to eradicate terror. Israel is not under threat from old people, children, doctors, nurses, medical staff, journalists, and foreign aid workers, yet it has no compunction whatsoever in murdering these people as if they were terrorists themselves.

There is only one people being "wiped off the face of the earth" here, and it isn't Jews or Israelis. On the contrary, it's Israel indulging in yet another illegal campaign of violence and destruction dressed up as an act of self-defence.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 08:48

A very thoughtful post @cariadlet

I agree that the Palestine Action group are not in the same league as groups like the IRA, Al quada or Isis.

However, they are a designated a terrorist organisation and some members did cause criminal damage, as you say.

People who wish to march for Palestine are able to do so peacefully and not align themselves with groups that cause criminal damage.

cariadlet · 13/07/2025 08:35

I'm very conflicted.

This government, like the Tories before them, seem to be curtailing the right to peaceful protest which seems undemocratic. It's not just in relation to Palestine Action; it's part of a wider pattern.

Palestine Action has only recently been designated a terrorist organisation. Yes, some members did cause criminal damage and should be prosecuted for that. But they are not in the same league as groups like the IRA, Al quada or Isis which murdered innocent people.

I understand why people march to protest against what is happening in Gaza. The murder of thousands of civilians and destruction of Palestinians towns is indefensible. The current Israeli government is an extreme right wing one and illegal Israeli settlers are acting with impunity on the West Bank.

But some of the marchers seem to be just joining the latest fashionable cause, have an over simplistic belief that Palestinians are the goodies and Israelis are the baddies which seems to sonetimes veer into antisemitism.

There have been actions such as the noisy attempts to disrupt filming in London simply because Israeli actor Gal Gadot is starring in the film. I don't see that actions like that can possibly count as legitimate peaceful protest.

There's no balance in terms of vocally condemning the October massacres or calling for the return of the hostages. There's a collective amnesia about the videos of Palestine civilians celebrating when Hamas terrorists brought back hostages or showed off the bloodied bodies of raped women. I have seen videos of pro-Palestine demonstrators ripping down posters of missing hostages.

I'm also fed up of seeing marchers with their faces covered. It's the same with TRAs who try to silence women. If you believe that you are acting legally and that your cause is just then don't be such a bloody coward and show your face. It's not like we're living in Putin's Russia or North Korea.

I would like to see more compassion for innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. I want peaceful protest to be allowed but there do need to be limits.

mids2019 · 13/07/2025 08:34

There isnt any police action àgainst those that support Israel in its statehood or desire for the release of hostages is there?

We only see arrests at the mass rallies for the 'Palestinian Cause' and this should make us think about how an ideology can spread especially one founded with terrorism and resistance.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 08:24

itsallfoggy · 13/07/2025 08:22

What a revolting inflammatory post.

Which one?

itsallfoggy · 13/07/2025 08:22

What a revolting inflammatory post.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 08:17

xanthomelana · 13/07/2025 07:37

I am British but I have zero respect for any laws made by this current government. Slowly bit by bit they are chipping away at our rights and the public are like nodding dogs letting them do it.

Did you have more respect for the Tories?

Or are you someone that doesn't respect laws passed by any British government?

I feel like I have lots of rights under British law. I don't face discrimination for being a woman, as just one example. I can go on protest marches if I want as long as they are not for a proscribed terrorist group.

Corinthiana · 13/07/2025 08:15

This is a process of law. It's not "Starmer" , it's gone through parliament. This is not going to stop peaceful protests by moderate groups. It's to stop this particular organisation which has crossed the boundaries of the Anti Terrorism Act 2000.
Some people support Tommy Robinson and other fascist groups. That's their choice, but it's right that their actions are curtailed to remain within the law and not romanticised.

mids2019 · 13/07/2025 08:04

I think the law is just in that the government can see the direction of travel of pro Palestinian activism and wants to send a clear message about how it views terrorism. The gradual hardening of the tactics of pro Palestinian groups causes concern to many and breaking into a military facility for instance is an action that needs to be prevented with full force of law.

We haven't seen death of severe physical harm to Jews (yet) and this is partly due to the government and security forces having to be strong on this issue.

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 13/07/2025 07:43

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 06:53

Absolutely nobody with any critical thinking capacity believes PA comes anywhere close to being what is typically considered a "terrorist" organisation.

This is purely and simply an exercise in the UK government abusing the law to silence and repress people drawing attention to it's complicity in a genocide. State censorship, repression, and abuse of power. Straight out of the despot handbook.

If "British values" mean taking a stand against terrorism, then we ought to have cut relations with Israel years ago and should be seeking to put members of Likud and the IDF up for trial in the Hague, instead of arresting 80'odd year old vicars and grandads for holding placards. Understandably the police look utterly mortified at having to participate in this complete nonsense.

If that is what constitutes "British values" then I'm glad I don't identify as British.

100% this.

xanthomelana · 13/07/2025 07:37

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 07:12

I’m glad I do identify as British and that I respect UK laws & values.

I am British but I have zero respect for any laws made by this current government. Slowly bit by bit they are chipping away at our rights and the public are like nodding dogs letting them do it.

Beachtastic · 13/07/2025 07:36

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 06:53

Absolutely nobody with any critical thinking capacity believes PA comes anywhere close to being what is typically considered a "terrorist" organisation.

This is purely and simply an exercise in the UK government abusing the law to silence and repress people drawing attention to it's complicity in a genocide. State censorship, repression, and abuse of power. Straight out of the despot handbook.

If "British values" mean taking a stand against terrorism, then we ought to have cut relations with Israel years ago and should be seeking to put members of Likud and the IDF up for trial in the Hague, instead of arresting 80'odd year old vicars and grandads for holding placards. Understandably the police look utterly mortified at having to participate in this complete nonsense.

If that is what constitutes "British values" then I'm glad I don't identify as British.

If you "don't identify as British" then presumably you don't really share British values?

Against a background of stabbings, car rammings and bombings, personally I think it's understandable to be nervous about an organisation that meets covertly to plan and carry out attacks on military sites, government buildings and Jewish businesses. I don't want to live in a country that turns a blind eye to another Kristallnacht.

With your highly refined critical thinking hat on, perhaps do some research into the accepted meaning of "genocide" and the threat Israel faces from countries that want to wipe it and Jewish people off the face of the Earth.

Voxon · 13/07/2025 07:30

These protests don't have anything to do with helping people in Gaza. It's a cult now, and the motivation behind it is bringing down Israel. If they were about helping people on Gaza they'd be full of people saying to return hostages, get rid of Hamas and so on. Not going on about "zionists" and the "Israel lobby". They got away with far too much for far too long.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 07:12

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 06:53

Absolutely nobody with any critical thinking capacity believes PA comes anywhere close to being what is typically considered a "terrorist" organisation.

This is purely and simply an exercise in the UK government abusing the law to silence and repress people drawing attention to it's complicity in a genocide. State censorship, repression, and abuse of power. Straight out of the despot handbook.

If "British values" mean taking a stand against terrorism, then we ought to have cut relations with Israel years ago and should be seeking to put members of Likud and the IDF up for trial in the Hague, instead of arresting 80'odd year old vicars and grandads for holding placards. Understandably the police look utterly mortified at having to participate in this complete nonsense.

If that is what constitutes "British values" then I'm glad I don't identify as British.

I’m glad I do identify as British and that I respect UK laws & values.

Ohthatsabitshit · 13/07/2025 07:06

Sometimes what looks like a warm coat to protect you from the elements is actually a straitjacket.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 07:03

MissyB1 · 13/07/2025 06:54

I suggest anyone celebrating these arrests of peaceful protesters goes to live in Trump's America or perhaps even Russia, I think you might enjoy it.

No thanks I’m very happy living in the UK with British values & law.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 07:02

Alexandra2001 · 13/07/2025 06:46

TBF the law was changed to name them a terrorist organisation, would you agree with Starmer if he changed the law to say the IDF is one too?

No you wouldn't.

I wouldn’t agree with Starmer but neither would I break the law by going on protests about it.

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