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Middle East Eye
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
ICJP writes to UK authorities over woman threatened with arrest for opposing genocide
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has written to a local police authority and the UK Home Secretary, demanding a formal investigation as to why a woman was threatened with arrest on terror charges for holding up anti-genocide signs, after rejecting that she supported proscribed organisations when asked. 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".
The National
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Legal complaint filed after Kent police threaten woman with Palestine flag
On Thursday, The National reported how one officer told Laura Murton, 42, that mentioning "freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide" fell foul of terrorism laws. The Guardian reported that she was confronted by police in Canterbury, Kent, who accused her of expressing support for the proscribed group Palestine Action. When asked whether she supported any proscribed organisations, Murton replied: "I do not." READ MORE: Police drop investigation into Kneecap Glastonbury performance, band says Murton said she had no signs mentioning Palestine Action. Kent Police confirmed that no further action was taken. On Friday, lawyers from the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) filed an official legal complaint with Kent Police over the incident. In a letter sent to both Kent Police and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the ICJP demanded a formal investigation be opened into why Murton was threatened with arrest on terror charges despite explicitly rejecting support for proscribed organisations when asked by officers. The ICJP noted that Murton had no material in her possession that "made any reference to Palestine Action or any other proscribed organisation". "It is of deep concern that Kent Police officers appear to regard anti-war statements and the Palestinian flag as evidence giving rise to a reasonable suspicion of a terrorism offence," the letter went on. "This is not only an alarming misinterpretation of the Terrorism Act, but also a stance that is offensive to Palestinians and their supporters and fundamentally incompatible with objective, lawful policing." The ICJP said that the incident "represents the sought chilling effect on speech and assembly of those who wish to speak out against Israel's violations of international law". The legal organisation added: "As expected, the ban is being misused to police the support for Palestine more generally, and any opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza." The terror group designation for Palestine Action, brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month, means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action. READ MORE: Police Scotland issue terror charge for man with 'Palestine Action poster in window' The ICJP said that opposition to war crimes and calls for accountability under international law are not grounds for suspicion under the Terrorism Act. The group pointed to the High Court ruling in the judicial review concerning the proscription of Palestine Action, in which Justice Chamberlain stated: "'It will remain lawful for the claimant and other persons who were members of the PA [Palestine Action] prior to proscription to continue to express their opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza and elsewhere, including by drawing attention to what they regard as Israel's genocide and other serious violations of international law. "They will remain legally entitled to do so in private conversations, in print, on social media and at protests.' The ICJP urged Kent Police to issue a formal apology to Murton, as well as a public statement to provide assurances "that terrorism legislation will not be misapplied to peaceful protesters". In addition, the group called on Kent Police to immediately review and revise their training and guidance for officers regarding the use of terrorism legislation, and to initiate a formal investigation into those involved in the incident. The ICJP also requested clarity from the Home Secretary on what guidance the Home Office has issued to police officers regarding protests that do not relate to Palestine Action. READ MORE: RECAP: Activist arrested at protest in support of Palestine Action in Glasgow A Kent Police spokesperson had previously told The Guardian that "it is a criminal offence to carry or display items that may arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action". However, after being contacted by The National, the force said that officers had attended and "having ascertained no offences had been committed, no further action was taken". Both Kent Police and the Home Office have been approached for comment.
Days of Palestine
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Experts Say Western Media Is Enabling Gaza Genocide and Rewriting History
As Israel's war on Gaza continues to expand across the region, media analysts, historians, and human rights advocates are sounding the alarm over how Western media outlets are shaping global perception—and potentially helping erase evidence of what they describe as genocide. At a powerful panel hosted by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) in London, speakers accused mainstream Western news organisations of minimising, distorting, or outright denying the scale of atrocities in Gaza. They warned that this could have devastating consequences for historical truth and future accountability. 'This isn't just a media failure—it's a war on memory,' said Dr. Omar al-Ghazzi, an associate professor at the London School of Economics. 'How this war is covered now will become the history future generations inherit.' Systematic Media Bias New findings from the Centre for Media Monitoring (CFMM) highlighted widespread editorial patterns that soften or sideline Palestinian suffering. Media analyst Faisal Hanif said the BBC alone removed references to genocide in Gaza over 100 times in the past year. The use of emotionally charged words also revealed a double standard. The term 'massacre,' for instance, was found to be used 18 times more when describing Hamas attacks than Israeli attacks, even when Palestinian death tolls were far higher. 'That's not accidental,' said Hanif. 'It reflects a systemic bias and an uncritical acceptance of Israeli government narratives, especially those targeting Palestinian journalists.' Palestinian Voices Dismissed or Put 'On Trial' Rachel Shabi, a British-Israeli journalist, aimed at international media outlets to echo Israel's justification for banning foreign reporters from Gaza under the pretext of 'safety.' Meanwhile, she said, Palestinian journalists are often smeared as Hamas sympathisers. 'They [Western media] fall into the trap without calling it out,' Shabi said. 'And even when Palestinian voices are included, their grief and testimony are often discredited—as if they're unreliable narrators of their own trauma.' Genocide Denial in Real Time Prominent historian Avi Shlaim called Israel's media strategy a form of aggressive propaganda that suppresses criticism by labelling it antisemitic. Professor Martin Shaw, a leading genocide scholar, said the world is witnessing a form of 'implicatory denial'—a chilling concept where atrocities are acknowledged but not acted upon. 'The media is starting to shift, but still lags behind the reality on the ground,' Shaw warned. 'Even when there's recognition of genocide, we're not seeing any meaningful action to stop it.' He added that the era of Western-led 'humanitarian intervention' is over: 'Today, the powerful do what they want—and they don't even bother dressing it up.' Media as a Tool of Geopolitics Wadah Khanfar, former Director General of Al Jazeera, connected the media narrative to broader Western geopolitical agendas. He accused Western powers of using the war to reshape the Middle East while silencing Arab perspectives in the process. 'This is about more than Gaza. It's about designing a future for the region without the people who live in it,' Khanfar said. He specifically criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him 'arrogant' for believing he can dictate the future unilaterally. Khanfar warned that unchecked Israeli impunity, especially with recent airstrikes on Iran, could ignite wider instability and possibly push the region towards nuclear brinkmanship. 'We are being dragged into a new dark age,' he said. Cracks Within Israel Adding a rare internal perspective, Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, questioned whether Israel's strategy is sustainable at all. 'Is this the third Jewish kingdom?' he asked, implying that Israel could be repeating cycles of overreach and collapse seen in ancient times. Levy noted growing disillusionment inside Israel itself, with more reservists refusing to report for duty and doubts rising even among staunch supporters. 'More and more Israelis are starting to see these endless wars as leading the country toward a place of no return.' International Law: Powerful in Theory, Weak in Practice Tayab Ali, director of the ICJP, said the failure to apply international legal frameworks consistently is feeding Israel's sense of impunity. 'The legal systems are excellent in theory—but they're selectively applied in practice,' he said. 'And that reinforces Israel's belief that its actions, no matter how extreme, will be shielded.' Levy also rejected Western narratives suggesting peace will follow Iran's elimination, calling such thinking 'legally flawed and strategically naïve.' A Moment of Reckoning As the war drags on, one thing became clear in the panel's final message: this is not just a humanitarian crisis—it's a crisis of truth, memory, and justice. And if the media fails to uphold its duty, future generations may never know what really happened. Shortlink for this post:
Al Jazeera
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Growing number' of Britons view Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide: Poll
London, United Kingdom – Most Britons who oppose Israel's war on Gaza believe the onslaught, which has to date killed more than 55,000 people, amounts to genocide, according to a new poll. The survey, carried out by YouGov and commissioned by the Action for Humanity charity and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) advocacy group, found that 55 percent of Britons are against Israel's aggression. A significant number of those opponents – 82 percent – said Israel's actions amount to genocide. 'This translates to 45 percent of adults in the UK who view Israel's actions as genocidal,' said Action for Humanity and ICJP. Details of the poll, which 2,010 people responded to in early June, were released on Wednesday. Sixty-five percent said the UK should enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to visit Britain. 'It is clear that a majority of the public here are disgusted with Israel's conduct, and a growing number agree that this is clearly a genocide,' said Othman Moqbel, head of Action for Humanity. He added that all but a few believe the UK should do 'everything in its power to stop Israel and seek justice against those responsible'. 'The government's failure to recognise the scale of the crimes being inflicted upon Gaza is not just putting them on the wrong side of history, it's putting them on the wrong side of the present day.' Tens of thousands of Britons have taken to the streets over the past 20 months to protest against Israel's war on Gaza. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government has in recent weeks adopted harsher tones on Israel and sanctioned top officials. In 2024, the UK suspended 30 arms export licences to Israel for use in Gaza amid concerns Israel was violating international humanitarian laws. But critics have lamented the pace and power of the UK's response, calling for tougher sanctions and measures that would prevent Israel from receiving F-35 components made in Britain. The survey also highlighted the positions of Britons who voted for the Labour Party in the 2024 general election. Of the 68 percent of Labour voters who are against Israel's actions in Gaza, 87 percent believe they amount to genocide. Seventy-eight percent of Labour voters said the UK should enforce the ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The UK has suggested it would comply with the ICC warrant. 'The UK government is totally out of touch with the British public they are supposed to represent, and the Labour Party are even more out of touch with their own voters,' said Jonathan Purcell of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians. 'UK policymaking should be based on complying with international law obligations, regardless, but this poll just goes to show the level of popular support for such policies too. There is absolutely no appetite to drag our national reputation through the mud by continuing to stand with a rogue, pariah state.'
Leaders
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Global Coalition Launches Legal Push against Israeli War Crimes
Lawyers with the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) have unveiled the Global 195 Initiative, vowing to prosecute Israeli military personnel, officials, and corporations for alleged war crimes. The campaign targets accountability through private prosecutions in nations like Canada and the UK, bypassing state inaction. Shane Martinez, an ICJP Canada lawyer, stated, 'Countries such as Canada and the UK have historically been hands-off with Israel's actions against Palestinians.' He added, 'We're using tools like private prosecutions to hold enablers accountable ourselves.' The initiative prioritizes charges under Canada's War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Act, including torture. Martinez clarified, 'Torture in Canadian law means intentionally inflicting severe mental or physical harm for retribution or discrimination.' The coalition also investigates corporations supplying arms to Israel and non-combat volunteers aiding the IDF. 'We're examining jurisdiction to pursue Israeli officials under quasi-universal laws,' Martinez said. Past Case Highlights Government Interference ICJP Canada previously secured criminal charges against Sorel Canada for recruiting IDF volunteers under the Foreign Enlistment Act. However, Martinez noted, 'The Canadian government shut the case down on a legal absurdity, ignoring evidence of IDF-linked activities.' Volunteers reportedly wore IDF uniforms, lived on bases, and handled ammunition. 'Canada's rationale was indefensible,' Martinez asserted, urging resilience against state interference. Research teams within ICJP are compiling evidence of suspected war crimes, including forced displacement, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and violence against non-combatants. Martinez confirmed, 'We've found evidence of these crimes through online research.' The coalition plans to finalize lawsuits in Canada and the UK before filing proceedings. Martinez emphasized collaboration: 'We're building a global network to hold individuals accountable, not relying on states.' The Global 195 Initiative represents a significant effort to seek justice. It aims to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes against Palestinians. Despite challenges, the initiative remains committed to its goals. Short link : Post Views: 26
