Jewish pensioner arrested during pro-Palestine protest outside Belfast bank ‘will not stay silent', lawyer says
Sue Pentel was one of two women held on suspicion of criminal damage after an incident on Saturday.
The 72-year-old Jewish grandmother is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military action in Gaza.
Her solicitor said she was arrested 'whilst peacefully protesting against the ongoing genocide in Palestine at Barclays Bank'.
According to reports, the two women were arrested after stickers promoting a boycott of the bank were allegedly placed on an ATM.
There has been criticism of the bank's financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel. Several other branches of Barclays across the UK have previously been targeted.
Videos circulating online show Ms Pentel being spoken to at length by PSNI officers. She tells officers: 'Children are dying in Gaza' and is then led away to the back of a PSNI vehicle.
Both women were released on Saturday evening and reported to the Public Prosecution Service.
Pádraig O Muirigh, who represents Mrs Pentel said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine.
"She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities.
'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute. We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest today.'
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The PSNI said: 'Police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning, May 24.
'Officers attended and two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
'The women - one aged in her 70s and the other in her 50s – are in custody, assisting with police enquiries at this time.'
The pair were taken to Musgrave PSNI station, where campaigners gathered to show their support.
The IPSC Belfast expressed shock at "the PSNI treatment of a lifelong anti-racist activist who was arrested for standing up to protect international human rights and law."
The group said they support "the international calls for the boycott of companies which help to fund and arm Israel in its brutal campaign against the people of Palestine."
Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan criticised the arrests.
'It is disgraceful that Sue Pentel — an elderly Jewish woman who has consistently and bravely campaigned for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza — has been arrested by the PSNI,' he said.
'Highlighting the genocidal, inhumane slaughter of defenceless civilians — and those who enable it — is not a crime.'
Mr Sheehan added: 'We will be raising our concerns directly with the PSNI.'
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: 'All over the world Israel's legitimacy has utterly crumbled. And so the establishment is ramping up its repression to try and silence protestors.'
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said he was 'deeply concerned' by the arrests.
He said they happened during a peaceful protest.
'Barclays should rightfully be boycotted due to their financial ties with companies that supply weapons and military technology to Israel,' he added.
'I stand in full solidarity with these activists and call for them to be released without charge.'
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The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Leisure centre in Larne set alight by rioters as violence extends beyond Ballymena
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Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Ballymena riots: Fire started and windows smashed at Larne Leisure Centre
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Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Live: Disorder continues across NI as Co Antrim leisure centre targeted
Disorder has broken out in Larne on Wednesday night as a leisure centre becomes the subject of attacks. PSNI officers have also returned to the streets of Ballymena as a number of protests take place across Northern Ireland. Images circulating online show bins set alight in from of Larne Lesiure Centre and a number of windows smashed and vandalised as it is alleged individuals were taken there after disturbances in Ballymena on Tuesday. It comes after 17 officers were injured during incidents on June 10, as a spokesperson said officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area. Violent disorder has taken place in the Co Antrim town for two nights following a protest march held in the arrests over an alleged sexual assault on a teenager at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with attempted rape and a PSNI spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday a third person, aged 28, has been arrested in connection to the investigation. Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour on Tuesday and a male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour on the O'Neill Road in Newtownabbey. PSNI vehicles have blocked the main street area of Harryville on Wednesday evening as PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has taken place. Online reports say that demonstrations are set to take place in various areas across the country including Belfast, Portadown and Coleraine. Two protests are facing off in Magherfelt. One group are standing with Palestine flags in the centre of the Co Derry town. Police are attempting to keep the peace This is the scene in Ballymena tonight East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre tonight and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town. He said, 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility. There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.' Police Land Rovers are moving the crowd away from flashpoint area in Ballymena Belfast Live its very own breaking news and top stories service on WhatsApp and we want you to join. We'll send you the latest breaking news and the top headlines from across Northern Ireland straight to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do is click on this link. Select 'Join Community' and you're in. No one will be able to see who's receiving our messages and no one else can send messages apart from the Belfast Live team. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and select 'exit group'. Videos online showing large number of people in the Harryville area - reports police dogs have been deployed in the area. Police have issued a warning for people to disperse from the area. It is reported that the Ravenhill Road in Belfast has been closed due to a protest and PSNI are on the scene. Reports that the roundabout at Whiteabbey Hospital has been closed off by police too. Cllr Tyler Hoey said on social media: "The scenes we are witnessing in Larne must come to an end. "I am urging those involved, disperse and go home. Wrecking your town, buildings does absolutely no favours." Minister Gordon Lyons said: It has been brought to my attention that a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre in the early hours of the morning following the disturbances in Ballymena. As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon. It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful. MLA Danny Donnelly said: "I was disgusted to see a crowd of masked thugs attacking Larne Leisure Centre this evening. They threw bricks through windows, burned bins and have lit a large fire nearby. "Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were attacked with bricks. This was an attack on the town." Police in Northern Ireland have requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following violence in Ballymena, a senior officer has said. Read the full story here Police have closed Henry Street at the Railway Street junction in the Harryville area In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: 'The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable. These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection. 'Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge. Let me be clear: this behaviour must stop. I appeal to everyone involved to cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately. 'As with any serious offenders in Northern Ireland, we will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice. We will now begin our investigation of reviewing all evidence gathered, including video footage, and Images of the individuals involved will be released to identify offenders. 'Do not throw away your future and do not continue to endanger or intimidate the lives of others. 'To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you. You deserve safety and justice, and we will find and prosecute those responsible. Hate-fuelled acts and mob rule do nothing but tear at the fabric of our society—they resolve nothing and serve no one."
