Latest news with #BoycottandDivestmentCampaign
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty dons 'Palestine Action' top at Fringe
Paul Laverty, who has written some of director Ken Loach's most famous films including The Wind That Shakes the Barley and I, Daniel Blake, donned a top with the words 'Genocide in Palestine, time to take action' emblazoned on the chest. The design is such that at a glance, the slogan could be taken to read 'Palestine Action'. Wearing clothing with the group's branding or name can result in a six month prison sentence under terror laws. Palestine Action were proscribed under the Terrorism Act in an unprecedented step against a protest group earlier this year after vandalising RAF planes. The screenwriter, who grew up in Wigtown, wore the T-shirt at an "In Conversation" event in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Writing in The National, Laverty said: 'All the palaver over a black T-shirt with the words 'Genocide in Gaza, time to Take Action': it's truly mind-boggling that hundreds may have been arrested, and some face terrorism charges for wearing this shirt.' Accusing UK Government ministers of having 'colluded with genocide', Laverty said: 'No doubt they will have teams of legal experts to argue otherwise. READ MORE: David Lammy broke law while fishing with JD Vance 'But in the court of public opinion who will ever forget Starmer's very first interview justifying the cutting off food and water to the entire population of Gaza? Who will forget Foreign Secretary Lammy at the dispatch box denying that Genocide was happening in Gaza, and Starmer too. 'It is vital to remember that the Labour Government did not revoke arms licences to Israel until September of 2024, long after tens of thousands of innocents had been bombed.' He added: 'Nothing this UK Government does, even with their revocation of arms licences, impinges on the genocide machine as it continues to murder the starving. Critically, there is no mention of support for the Boycott and Divestment Campaign which could make a difference. 'And shamefully, not one UK Cabinet member can say seven simple words: 'Genocide in Gaza, time to Take Action'. 'One day, when it all comes out, as it will, we will look back in horror and ask how it all unfolded. Western collusion will haunt us.'
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Acclaimed Scottish screenwriter dons 'Palestine Action' top at Fringe
Paul Laverty, who has written some of director Ken Loach's most famous films including The Wind That Shakes the Barley and I, Daniel Blake, donned a top with the words 'Genocide in Palestine, time to take action' emblazoned on the chest. The design is such that at a glance, the slogan could be taken to read 'Palestine Action'. Wearing clothing with the group's branding or name can result in a six month prison sentence under terror laws. Palestine Action were proscribed under the Terrorism Act in an unprecedented step against a protest group earlier this year after vandalising RAF planes. The screenwriter, who grew up in Wigtown, wore the T-shirt at an in conversation event in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Writing in The National, Laverty said: 'All the palaver over a black T shirt with the words 'Genocide in Gaza, time to Take Action': it's truly mind-boggling that hundreds may have been arrested, and some face terrorism charges for wearing this shirt.' Accusing UK Government ministers of having 'colluded with genocide', Laverty said: 'No doubt they will have teams of legal experts to argue otherwise. READ MORE: David Lammy broke law while fishing with JD Vance 'But in the court of public opinion who will ever forget Starmer's very first interview justifying the cutting off food and water to the entire population of Gaza? Who will forget Foreign Secretary Lammy at the dispatch box denying that Genocide was happening in Gaza, and Starmer too. 'It is vital to remember that the Labour Government did not revoke arms licences to Israel until September of 2024, long after tens of thousands of innocents had been bombed.' He added: 'Nothing this UK Government does, even with their revocation of arms licences, impinges on the genocide machine as it continues to murder the starving. Critically, there is no mention of support for the Boycott and Divestment Campaign which could make a difference. 'And shamefully, not one UK Cabinet member can say seven simple words: 'Genocide in Gaza, time to Take Action'. 'One day, when it all comes out, as it will, we will look back in horror and ask how it all unfolded. Western collusion will haunt us.'
