Commenting on the proscribing and banning of Palestine Action and the media frenzy surrounding events at Glastonbury, Mustafa Al-Dabbagh, MCB Assistant Secretary-General said:
“Whilst we consistently advocate for protest to remain within the law, the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action is deeply alarming and sets a dangerous precedent for civil liberties in the UK. Once again, we are witnessing disproportionate crackdowns on those raising their voices against the UK’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza while the government takes no real steps to end the slaughter or ensure meaningful humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians.”
Al-Dabbagh further noted that this government action is ignoring expert advice from the United Nations. Just yesterday, UN Human Rights experts issued a direct warning to the UK, urging ministers not to misuse terrorism laws against protest movements like Palestine Action. They warned that doing so risks undermining fundamental freedoms and democratic rights.“By ignoring the clear concerns raised by UN experts, the government is choosing to silence protestors rather than address the root causes of the genocide being carried out by Israeli forces,” Al-Dabbagh said. “The double standards and staggering hypocrisy are plain to see.”
Al-Dabbagh also highlighted the hypocrisy of sections of the British media, where outrage has been whipped up over chants at a music festival, yet there remains a deafening silence over the far greater atrocity: more than 53,000 Palestinians killed, entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, and a humanitarian catastrophe worsening by the day.
“Criticism of the IDF a military occupation force engaged in mass violence is being cynically reframed as antisemitism to shut down legitimate dissent. Meanwhile, the IDF continues to commit war crimes with impunity.”
[ENDS]
Notes to editors:
1. For all media enquiries, contact: media@mcb.org.uk