UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Former cabinet minister Peter Hain warns the UK government risks backlash over Palestine Action, saying MPs and peers now regret backing the ban.
As reported by The Guardian, Peter Hain warned that the UK government is “digging itself into a hole” over Palestine Action, with growing regret among Labour MPs and peers.
What did Peter Hain say about the UK Government’s handling of Palestine Action?
Peter Hain, who opposed the ban, warned the UK government that the issue would return when Parliament returns in September.
Lord Hain, a prominent figure in Britain’s anti-apartheid and anti-Indian Ocean campaigns of the 1970s and 1980s, condemned the authorities’ response to recent pro-Palestinian protests.
He stated,
“It will end in tears for the government. We are seeing retired magistrates, retired and serving doctors and all sorts of people being arrested and now effectively being equated with terrorists such as al-Qaida, which is absolutely wrong.”
Mr Hain suggested that if the ban were overturned, it
“would be a mercy to all concerned, including the government.”
He said,
“It’s going to get worse [for the government] because I don’t see people from that ‘middle Britain’ background who have joined these protests in such large numbers to suddenly decide that all is OK.”
Mr Hain stated,
“In fact, I think more are going to come out and face arrest because the approach to Palestine Action is contrary to every form of peaceful protest in British history, whether that’s the chartists and suffragettes or anti-apartheid and anti-fascist protesters.”
Citing his past roles in Northern Ireland and the Cabinet, he dismissed comparisons between the group and terrorists.
He said,
“There is a battery of other crimes that could be applied to Palestine Action, but terrorism is not one of them, while you also devalue the charge of terrorism by equating it with the protests we have seen.”
Mr Hain stated,
“I … worked with the intelligence services and others to stop dissident IRA groups from killing. I have signed warrants to stop other real terrorists, Islamist terrorists, from bombing London. So I am not soft on terrorism. But I am a strong believer that you have to know what it looks like.”
Lord Hain added that many Labour MPs and peers are rethinking the move to ban Palestine Action.
What did Stella Creasy say about violence, protests, and bans?
In an Instagram video, Labour backbencher Sam Tarry said those supporting the ban should better explain the reasons behind their decision.
She argued the matter was needless, as the evidence MPs referenced on alleged violence formed part of active court proceedings, preventing its inclusion in Parliament discussions.
Ms Creasy said,
“The presence of violence in our politics can’t be ignored and it needs legislation that can balance the danger this presents with defending debate for all concerned, so clear we need to work on this further when parliament returns.”
MP Creasy urged stronger action against violence and incitement. She called on the government to recognise far-right threats targeting refugees in hotels.
What did Shami Chakrabarti warn about the Palestine Action ban?
Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti said the
“proscription of Palestine Action is in danger of becoming a mistake of poll tax proportions.”
She added,
“The notable presence of so many older people highlights the strength of genuine feeling. Criminal damage at air force bases can be prosecuted, but sweeping guilt by association only exacerbates community tensions and creates a bigger headache for the police.”
What did Sir David Davis say about Palestine Action arrests?
An ex-Conservative cabinet minister, Sir David, said the arrests were an “excessive use of counterterrorism law”, adding, “they’ve gone over the top.”
He stated,
“We’ve not really been given any evidence for the reasoning behind proscribing Palestine Action. I mean, they broke in and painted an aircraft; they did not set bombs or anything. So that’s the first question. What were the criteria? And then secondly, should you be arresting lots of people because they support a particular side and put up a banner?”
Mr Davis added,
“The authorities should be more clear-cut about why they have proscribed Palestine Action.”
What did Sacha Deshmukh say on Palestine Action arrests?
Amnesty International chief executive Sacha Deshmukh stated,
“Peaceful protest is a fundamental right. People are understandably outraged by the ongoing genocide being committed in Gaza and are entitled under international human rights law to express their horror.”
He added,
“We have long criticised UK terrorism law for being excessively broad and vaguely worded and a threat to freedom of expression. These arrests demonstrate that our concerns were justified.”
What did Yvette Cooper say about the Palestine Action ban?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated,
“The right to protest is one we protect fiercely, but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage. It also follows an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre that the group prepares for terrorism, as well as concerning information referencing plans and ideas for further attacks, the details of which cannot yet be publicly reported due to ongoing legal proceedings.”
She stated,
“Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation, but the assessments are very clear – this is not a non-violent organisation. UK national security and public safety must always be our top priority.”
Ms Cooper added,
“Their actions are not about the horrific suffering in the Middle East and do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who are exercising their rights to protest peacefully.”
Key details about Palestine Action
Palestine Action, founded in July 2020 in the UK by activists Huda Ammori and Richard Barnard, is a pro-Palestinian direct action group.
The group targets UK arms companies supplying Israel, using tactics such as occupations, vandalism, and sabotage to protest against the arms trade and what it calls “Israeli apartheid.”