Over 200 British Jews condemn UK ban on Palestine Action in letter to PM Starmer

More than 200 British Jews have signed an open letter criticizing the UK government’s recent move to designate the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, calling the decision “illegitimate and unethical.”

The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is set to be delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the signatories are prominent figures such as poet and author Michael Rosen, novelist Gillian Slovo, comedian Alexei Sayle, and human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman, who once instructed Starmer during his legal career. Also included is Andrew Feinstein, a former South African MP under Nelson Mandela, who ran against Starmer in the 2024 general election in Holborn and St Pancras. Former Labour councillor Jenny Manson, co-chair of Jewish Voice for Labour, also signed.

In the letter, the signatories defend Palestine Action’s methods, stating, “Opposing the brutality of genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing taking place in Gaza and the West Bank, including taking direct action, is not antisemitic. Nor is it terrorism.”

The letter also welcomes a recent High Court decision granting Palestine Action permission to seek a judicial review of the proscription. The court’s ruling has been viewed as a legal blow to the UK government, which has faced mounting criticism for allegedly suppressing dissent and curbing the right to protest.

The authors of the letter warn that the government’s approach reflects a broader erosion of civil liberties. “The actions of the UK government expand on a disturbing trend of attempts by successive governments to restrict peaceful protests intended to save lives.”

Citing Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, they argue that non-violent direct action, even civil disobedience, has historically driven positive change, referencing the suffragette movement as an example.

Palestine Action was banned under anti-terror legislation on July 4, shortly after activists reportedly entered RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted aircraft they claimed were involved in military operations in Gaza. Since the ban, police have arrested over 200 individuals, including religious figures and former magistrates, for allegedly supporting the group.

Under current law, anyone who publicly endorses the group, even recklessly, can face up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The letter closes with a sharp rebuke of the government’s framing of activism as extremism. “The government should stop deflecting attention from genocide by linking non-violent protest to terrorism.”

Instead, it urges the UK to take meaningful action by sanctioning 'Israel' and warning UK citizens serving in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) that they may be held accountable for war crimes.