ICJP writes to UK authorities over woman threatened with arrest for opposing genocide
ICJP said armed police threatened peaceful protester Laura Murton, 42, for holding a Palestinian flag and having signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide'.
She was threatened with arrest under terrorism laws, despite not saying anything or holding any signs that denoted support for any proscribed groups. When explicitly asked if she supported any proscribed organisations, she replied 'I do not.'
ICJP said on Friday that it had brought a formal complaint to Kent Police, asking for clarity regarding the conduct of officers who attempted to make unfounded allegations against Murton for her protest.
It also asked the Home Secretary for clarity on what guidance the Home Office has issued to police officers regarding protests that do not relate to Palestine Action, a group that was recently proscribed by the UK government.
"This incident represents the sought chilling effect on speech and assembly of those who wish to speak out against Israel's violations of international law, that arises from misuse and misinterpretation of terror laws since the proscription of Palestine Action," ICJP said.
It accused UK authorities of misusing the ban "to police the support for Palestine more generally, and any opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
27 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
US Senate rejects bids to block arms sales to Israel over Gaza
Two resolutions that would have blocked arms sales to Israel in response to civilian casualties in Gaza were blocked in the US Senate on Wednesday, although they garnered more support than similar measures earlier this year. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, destroyed much of the enclave and led to widespread hunger. A global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in the enclave. The two resolutions were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent aligned with Democrats. They failed by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27 in the 100-member chamber in voting late on Wednesday night. Similar measures, also introduced by Sanders, failed by 82-15 and 83-15 in April. A decades-long tradition of strong bipartisan support for Israel in the US Congress means resolutions to stop weapons sales are unlikely to pass, but backers hope raising the issue will encourage Israel's government and the US administration to do more to protect civilians. All of the votes for the resolutions came from Democrats, with all of President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans opposed. Sanders said in a statement he was pleased that a majority of the Democratic caucus had backed the effort. "The tide is turning. The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza," Sanders said. "The Democrats are moving forward on this issue, and I look forward to Republican support in the near future." Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was one of the Democrats who opposed the Sanders-backed resolutions in April but voted for them this time. Shaheen said in a statement that Israel has a right to defend its citizens, but added: "it is clear that the Government of Israel has not conducted its military operations in Gaza with the necessary care required by international humanitarian law. It is also clear that the Government of Israel has failed to allow adequate humanitarian assistance into Gaza, resulting in unbelievable suffering." The resolutions would have blocked the sale of $675 million in bombs and shipments of 20,000 assault rifles. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a speech opposing the resolutions that the Palestinian group Hamas was to blame for the situation in Gaza. "It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed," he said. Israel has consistently said its actions in Gaza are justified as self-defence and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields, a charge Hamas denies. The US Senate vote came as France and Canada have indicated they plan to recognize a Palestinian state amid growing international outrage over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Britain has also said it would recognize the state at September's UN General Assembly meeting if the fighting in Gaza had not stopped by then. The war began after Gaza's dominant the Palestinian group Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel's subsequent air and ground campaign has leveled entire neighbourhoods in Gaza and displaced most of the population of 2.3 million. Israel says its operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas' military capabilities and securing the release of hostages. Reuters
Gulf Today
40 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Abdullah welcomes intent of several nations to recognise Palestine, urges broader international support
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the intention of Malta, Canada, Australia, Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino to recognise the State of Palestine. He affirmed that these positions represent historic steps that reflect growing international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed emphasised that the increasing number of countries expressing their intent to take this step constitutes a positive momentum toward advancing international efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. These efforts contribute to reviving the political process to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, strengthen peace and security in the region, and advance the aspirations of its people for development and prosperity. Furthermore, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed called on the international community to take similar steps and recognise the State of Palestine, stressing that this reflects a moral, humanitarian, and legal responsibility, that would support the realisation of a comprehensive and just solution to the conflict and enhance prospects for sustainable peace in the region.
Dubai Eye
an hour ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE welcomes intent of 10 nations to recognise State of Palestine
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the intention of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Andorra, Portugal and San Marino's to recognise the State of Palestine. In a statement, Sheikh Abdullah described the move as a historic step that reflects growing international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign state. He added that the increasing number of countries signalling their intention to recognise Palestine represents positive momentum toward reviving the political process and advancing efforts for a just and lasting peace in the region. These developments, he said, contribute to strengthening regional peace, security and the broader aspirations for development and prosperity. Sheikh Abdullah also called on the international community to take similar steps, affirming that recognising Palestine is a moral, humanitarian and legal responsibility. Such recognition, he stressed, is essential to achieving a comprehensive and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
