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?

[cakeorwine]

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.”

It's really not a bit rich.
Either everything is equal under the law, or it's not. Either an act is legal, or it's not.
We cannot have one law for this, one law for that for the same essential act.

We are going round in circles. I'm not naive as to the law, I'm not a lay person so to speak.

I understand you feel strongly but I feel you are cherrypicking to fit your narrative whilst ignoring points that don't suit.

Happy to leave it at that thanks.

If you're happy to live in a world where police can threaten people with arrest under the Terrorism Act unless they tell them who they are, then so be it...

It's not a world I want to live in - and I hope the police reflect on their conduct and training is provided.

The pro-Palestinian thing doesn’t need to be brought under control; anti-semitism does.
They are NOT the same thing.

But there is no ‘law’ to enforce with Ukraine protests. There are none? The majority of protests and anti semitic attacks are perpetrated by the pro Palestinian protestors. I’m sure if the Ukrainian people here protested as aggressively (although not sure what they’d have to protest about), then they would be dealt with as equally harshly.

It kind of does. When it’s taking part every weekend in our capital city disrupting people being able to go about their business, and is very intimidating towards the Jewish community there, then yes, these protests do need to be broughtt under control. People can voice their concerns in a respectful way that doesn’t involve intimidation.

They are both the same thing.

Anti semitic attacks are illegal.
Protesting is not.

Well the police have clearly said that it is NOT illegal under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act to express support for Gaza when attending these protests.

Are you saying that everyone who is pro-Palestinian is anti-semitic?

I have this feeling that there are some posters who are more than happy to see people expressing support for Gaza being threatened with arrest under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act and being labelled as terrorists.

That’s exactly what they’re saying, and it is patently nonsense.
No need to engage further.

No, I'm saying to the OP, since yesterday, the undertones of the protests are dark. They call for death but implicitly. Parliament, as well as police chiefs know this. The poor rank and file have to navigate through all this crap.

I am not talking about the protests

I am talking about what is legal and illegal when it comes to expressing support for a proscribed organisation.

I think that you are more than happy for anyone who expresses support for Gaza to be arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act.

If you aren't happy with that statement, then you are free to say that that is not your view.

Are you still insisting the protests are irrelevant. Get MN to edit your thread title then.

It's about what is legal and illegal under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act when it comes to expressing support for a proscribed organisation.

That's very clear from the OP.

And it's clear from UK case law and from the judgement about Palestine Action and from what the Met Police have said about what is legal and illegal.

It's very clear that saying "Free Gaza" is not illegal under Section 12.

I think you think it is illegal under Section 12 to say "Free Gaza" but I could be wrong in your beliefs.

I've lost the will to live.

It's a yes or no question

There has been plenty of links posted on here showing that it is not illegal under Section 12 to have a poster saying "Free Gaza"

So instead of deflecting, you could answer if you think it's illegal. I think you do think it's illegal but I could be wrong.

I wonder whether you will call for the release of Israeli hostages. BTW, according to the OP, your post is irrelevant.

Of course. Hopefully something is left of them after all the bombs Israel has dropped on them.

Absolutely. And they are tying themselves in knots trying to avoid answering you directly, while pretending to be exasperated.

It would be fun to watch if it wasn't such an important topic

Calling for death is appalling. Disgraceful.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself;
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were.

Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.

The sad thing is people like @Dangermoo and others who seem to believe the above are doing significantly more damage to the Jewish people than they seem to realise. Connecting the two implies Jewish people are OK with shooting innocent civilians and letting children starve. Which is ridiculous, good Jewish people are just as horrified as anyone else, to suggest they are pro genocidal monsters isn't going to improve their image is it, it's only going to encourage widespread anti sematism. Any critical thinking person can see that you can be against killing innocent civilians in any circumstances without political agenda, you can be pro Palestine and against Hamas, you can be a proud Israeli Jew and against the current government.