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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:
Thread gallery
7
Twiglets1 · 13/07/2025 08:24

itsallfoggy · 13/07/2025 08:22

What a revolting inflammatory post.

Which one?

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:
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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

EasternStandard · 13/07/2025 09:10

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

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.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:11

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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.

JemimaTiggywinkles · 13/07/2025 09:12

The Gaza people could stop the war instantly. By handing back the remaining hostages. But they won’t because the leaders there would rather have every single person die than give up on defeating Israel. And they know useful idiots in the West will try to put pressure on Israel to capitulate. Idiots who choose to ignore lots of voices from across the Middle East who point out that their countries don’t permit support of Hamas because Hamas are too dangerous.

Im really glad PA have been banned. Supporting terrorists isn’t okay. Even if you’re an 80yo vicar.

Beachtastic · 13/07/2025 09:14

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

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

Well they didn't just plan it, did they? Or was this just accidental?
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hate-crime-jewish-business-b1230275.html

I want everyone to feel safe living in the UK, and antisemitic hate crimes don't really fit into that picture. Judging from the emotional hyperbole of the rest of your post, I gather you think they do.

Police launch manhunt after Jewish-owned business vandalised

Scotland Yard are treating the attack claimed by Palestine Action in Stamford Hill as ‘racially aggravated criminal damage’

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hate-crime-jewish-business-b1230275.html

Comedycook · 13/07/2025 09:26

Shenmen · 13/07/2025 05:35

The focus should be stopping the war crimes being committed by Netanyahu. His disgusting his actions on the Palestinians is horrific not only for the people of Gaza but by the long term impact on Jewish people around the world as Zionism and Judaism won't be separated by many.

Ridiculous comment.

Do you think the police in the UK should stop investigating all potential crimes committed in the UK and instead focus on potential war crimes on another continent?

How far do we take this? Should we stop arresting people at all because....GAZA?!

TeenagersAngst · 13/07/2025 09:27

Beachtastic · 13/07/2025 09:14

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

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

Well they didn't just plan it, did they? Or was this just accidental?
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-hate-crime-jewish-business-b1230275.html

I want everyone to feel safe living in the UK, and antisemitic hate crimes don't really fit into that picture. Judging from the emotional hyperbole of the rest of your post, I gather you think they do.

I think people think Palestine Action were proscribed after one act at Brize Norton whereas they have been active in this space for some time.

Criminal damage is one thing but when all the acts of criminal damage are racially motivated, it’s another thing entirely.

I wonder if those protesters on the streets are aware of the full backstory. Useful idiots indeed.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:31

@Beachtastic

PA clearly attacked this business in the belief it provides premises to an Israeli defence contractor. Mistakenly so, as it appears, however, this is not evidence of PA indiscriminately attacking Jewish businesses simply because they are owned by Jews.

I absolutely concede that any instance of businesses owned by Jewish people being damaged and destroyed will obviously constitute a concern, and in any case of criminal damage, if there is grounds for prosecution then that absolutely should be seen through, however, your post which I quoted appears to imply that PA plan antisemitic hate-crimes for no other reason than they wish to persecute Jews, and it's this inference that I take exception to.

And for the record, no, I do not believe hate-crimes have any place in any decent society, but I will also not hesitate to challenge people who assert what motivates others can only be hate when we're talking about a group with a clearly stated goals, the bulk of their actions fit within that remit, and do not constitute acts of hate.

Voxon · 13/07/2025 09:52

They were proscribed so they obviously met the legal definition of it. They aren't ISIS or anything but let's be honest that what they're doing is supporting groups like that and taking us for idiots by denying it.

I'm sick of them disrupting the streets. I hate the undertone of antisemitism that's really obvious. I don't think causing millions of ddamage that we all have to pay for. The police costs too every weekend.

Like someone said, attacking Jewish businesses or causing problems for gal gadot isn't right.i don't buy their stories at all and I am really disappointed they weren't clamped down on earlier as per Southport.

Also someone said hamas can end the war any day and that's true but they won't because they're winning it. Their objective was to stir antisemitism and crazy hate at Israel and people play along nicely. I think if a million people were killed they'd be happy.

I hate the ugly side of society it's exposed, it's gone too far. Not free speech just selfish and stupid

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:55

They were proscribed so they obviously met the legal definition of it

PA were proscribed simply because they are embarrassing the UK government, Starmer has an enormous majority in the commons and therefore the means to blunt-force a proscription through, and there are a huge number of prominent Labour MP's in the pay of pro-Israel lobbyists who are happy to ignore reality if it keeps the money rolling in.

Voxon · 13/07/2025 09:58

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 09:55

They were proscribed so they obviously met the legal definition of it

PA were proscribed simply because they are embarrassing the UK government, Starmer has an enormous majority in the commons and therefore the means to blunt-force a proscription through, and there are a huge number of prominent Labour MP's in the pay of pro-Israel lobbyists who are happy to ignore reality if it keeps the money rolling in.

Sorry but you all sound the same. You start immediately off with antisemitism about Jews controlling the government.

They were proscribed because they attacked military stuff and caused millions of pounds of damage, get a bloody grip.

EasternStandard · 13/07/2025 10:02

Voxon · 13/07/2025 09:58

Sorry but you all sound the same. You start immediately off with antisemitism about Jews controlling the government.

They were proscribed because they attacked military stuff and caused millions of pounds of damage, get a bloody grip.

Scratch the surface and the usual antisemitic tropes are there.

Beachtastic · 13/07/2025 10:04

EasternStandard · 13/07/2025 10:02

Scratch the surface and the usual antisemitic tropes are there.

Sometimes you don't even have to scratch the surface!

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 13/07/2025 10:05

Voxon · 13/07/2025 09:58

Sorry but you all sound the same. You start immediately off with antisemitism about Jews controlling the government.

They were proscribed because they attacked military stuff and caused millions of pounds of damage, get a bloody grip.

It's not antisemitism to highlight the fact that a fair number of Labour MP's are in the pay of pro-Israel lobbyists and groups.

If you want to infer this is "jews controlling the government" that's up to you.

The evidence is there in Hansard if you care to look.

Voxon · 13/07/2025 10:08

Yeah it is antisemitic because what you're saying makes no sense. Antisemites are all twisted in their head so they can't think logically. They have to twist everything into a Jewish conspiracy. Common sense says if you break into Brize Norton and cause criminal damage then the home office will come down hard on you.