This article by Lynda Walker first appeared in Unity, the weekly publication of the Irish Communist Party.
The 9th of August is a historical date for those of us who live in Northern Ireland. It is the date when the British Government allowed internment without trial to be re-introduced in 1971.
Over a period of five years several thousand people were incarcerated in concentration camps and prisons. “Not for them a judge or jury nor indeed a trial at all.”
If the British state had learnt anything from the draconian actions that they used here, they would be seeking peaceful and democratic way to deal with the present situation regarding those who are supporting the Palestinian people against the genocide. Instead they are proscribing Palestine Action (and their supporters) as illegitimate and unethical.
On Tuesday this week leading British Jews delivered a letter to the Prime Minister signed by 300 people, including human rights solicitor Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, Bafta-winning screenwriter and director Mike Leigh, and authors Michael Rosen and Gillian Slovo.
The letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reads: “We are Jews who oppose the genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people, the reality of which is agonisingly on show every day on radio, television and social media. “Opposing the brutality of genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing taking place in Gaza and the West Bank, including taking direct action, is not anti-semitic. Nor is it terrorism.
“We consider the proscription of Palestine Action as illegitimate and unethical. “We oppose genocide as human beings. We oppose it because we are Jews who have learnt from our history to be vigilant against injustice and stand up for justice for all people, everywhere.” (Full letter can be read in Morning Star 4th August)
There is an interesting irregularity in comparing the ways that supporters of proscribed terrorist groups are treat in Northern Ireland. There are 14 groups listed as proscribed groups, according to a Home Office policy paper 11.07.2025 there are four reasons:
* commits or participates in acts of terrorism. * prepares for terrorism * promotes or encourages terrorism (including the unlawful glorification of terrorism) * is otherwise concerned in terrorism
There is plenty of evidence to show that many people here fly the flag of a proscribed organisation, put wall murals up to proscribed organisations and other actions, this is unlawful glorification of terrorist organisations.
In fact, it is ingrained in the “culture” of the north. For a number of years’ now, as part of the peace process, communities have been “encouraged” to remove para-militaristic and offensive murals in favour of more acceptable ones. Any other way would be “resisted”.
How does this compare to the way that Palestine Action has been treat?
Instead of recognising their peaceful protest against genocide, Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist group, following an action at RAF Brize Norton on June 20 that caused allegedly £7 million of damage to two Voyager planes.
More arrests are expected. Including arrest of those who carry placards supporting Palestinian Action. However, even that has its anomalies, for example on a recent protest in Derry some protesters were not arrested when they carried pro-Palestine Action placards-unlike their counterparts in Britain. So maybe it is time to get out the paint and brushes and put up some pro-Palestine Action murals- “I Spartacus”.
“Starmer Action” is the road to nowhere-similar to internment without trial-the Government will find that they have bitten off more than they can chew.
Who would have the two faced arrogance to provide bombs to kill and seriously injure Palestinian children and their parents and then to offer free medical care some of the children? Starmer! It would be laughable if it was not so inhuman. Will he visit them in hospital?
Helping to redress their actions is the least they can do.
It also demands that sanctions are taken against Israel, that Britain and others cease sending the military aid to stop this bloody “merry go round.”