NSW Labor MP says party is gagging debate on Gaza during fiery speech in parliament
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Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Palestine Action supporters to defy threat of mass arrests
The UK is bracing for a weekend of protest anarchy with both Palestine Action supporters and anti-migrant demonstrators set to take to the streets. More than 500 people are expected gather outside Parliament at 1pm tomorrow in support of Palestine Action, defying warnings they will be charged with terror offences. Membership of, or support for, the proscribed group is now a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Meanwhile, police up and down the country are also preparing for a series of anti-migrant protests outside hotels and council offices. There is particular concern about a protest planned in Nuneaton which comes amid claims Warwickshire Police held back information over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. Restrictions have also been put in place by police in at least 12 towns and cities, including Norwich, on Friday evening. It comes after anti-racism activists clashed with police and anti-migrant protesters outside a hotel last Saturday where asylum seekers are being housed. Last night, Scotland Yard issued a stark warning to people planning to attend the Palestine Action protest, saying they may never be able to visit the US or work in education if they do. Regardless, the group behind the protest Defend Our Juries, has continued to post on its X account, saying counter-terror police had 'irresponsibly taken down their briefing call'. It claimed last night, however, that 'many hundreds' of people had attended the meeting on another Zoom link. The group has said that those taking part in Saturday's protest will hold 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' signs as part of a campaign to end the group's proscription. Defend Our Juries co-founder Tim Crosland previously praised the people who support Palestine action as the 'moral backbone of this country'. Mr Crosland added in an online press conference he had been 'hearing from thousands of people wanting to take part in this action'. 'It feels like there's huge energy behind it,' he said. Meanwhile on Thursday, three people were charged with terror offences for allegedly 'showing support for Palestine Action at a protest'. Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, were arrested following a protest in Parliament Square last Saturday. They will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 16, the Metropolitan Police said. The planned demonstration tomorrow has since fuelled fears of a 'mass arrest' event. And today, commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter-Terrorism Command, sent a clear warning to anyone thinking of joining the rally. He said according to The Telegraph: 'Anyone who displays public support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation, is committing an offence under the Terrorism Act and can expect to be arrested and, as these charges show, will be investigated to the full extent of the law.' 'I would strongly advise anyone planning to come to London this weekend to show support for Palestine Action to think about the potential criminal consequences of their actions.' It comes after Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan last night called on people to consider the consequences of being arrested under the terrorism act. He said such a detention can have 'very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances'. Last week, Palestine Action won permission to challenge the ban after the High Court ruled it had an arguable case. A judicial review will take place in November. Until then, the ban remains in place. There have already been 200 arrests at protests organised by Defend Our Juries since the ban came into force last month. Days out from the planned protest, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also sought to head off potentially chaotic scenes in the capital. She urged the public to steer clear of support for a 'proscribed terror organisation that wishes harm on the British people'. Speaking to Times Radio, Ms Nandy was asked if those who attend Saturday's protest will be arrested and charged with terror offences. The Culture Secretary stressed this would be 'an operational matter for the police', adding: 'It wouldn't be right for us to say, to try and dictate to them how they police any march. 'But what I would say is, I think some of the reporting around this is conflating legitimate protests. 'Just last week I was coming out of Parliament, there were lots of pro-Palestinian protesters there, peacefully demonstrating. 'At the heart of power, that's absolutely right and proper and important for them to do... I commend them for that. 'There's a difference between that and supporting a proscribed terror organisation that wishes harm on the British people. 'And I would just urge people to stay away from those sorts of events and to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful and legitimate way.'
Reuters
11 minutes ago
- Reuters
Germany to halt military exports that could be used in Gaza
BERLIN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Germany will halt exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, in response to Israel's plan to expand its operations there. The public announcement, which emphasised the human suffering in Gaza, marks a significant shift in Berlin's policy towards its longtime ally. "The German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," Merz said in a statement. Merz acknowledged Israel's right to disarm Hamas and seek the release of Israeli hostages, but said the Israeli decision "makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved". Germany's steadfast and long-standing support for Israel, based on Holocaust guilt, has been badly strained by Gaza's mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis, which have prompted demands from the German public for government action. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany provided 30% of Israel's major arms imports in 2019-2023, primarily naval equipment including Sa'ar 6-class frigates (MEKO A-100 Light Frigates), which have been used in the Gaza war. Merz said the release of hostages and ceasefire negotiations were Germany's top priorities, along with civilian suffering. He also urged the Israeli government not to take any further steps towards annexing parts of the West Bank. Far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of surviving hostages. Germany's parliament reported in June that export licences for 485 million euros ($564 million) of military equipment for Israel had been granted between the day of the Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war, October 7, 2023, and May 13, 2025. After the Hamas attack, Germany increased its arms exports to Israel roughly tenfold in 2023. Human rights groups launched legal challenges, saying the weapons could be used in the Gaza war.
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
'Nothing left to occupy': Palestinians react to Netanyahu's Gaza plan
Palestinians in Gaza expressed fear, frustration and exhaustion on Thursday after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he wants Israel to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip. Those displaced by the fighting offered their opinions hours after Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel intended to take over the entire territory for security purposes but did not plan to govern it long-term. He said the aim would be to eventually hand over control to Arab forces, though he gave no specifics over what that could entail
