Hundreds sign on to academics’ letter defending Palestine Action in UK
More than 350 academics from around the world have now signed on to a letter released earlier this week to express support for Palestine Action, an activist group in the UK that was recently proscribed as a “terrorist” organisation.
The letter was launched on Wednesday with signatories including some big names such as Judith Butler, Angela Davis and Naomi Klein. It comes as the group Defend Our Juries is planning a large protest outside the British Parliament tomorrow “in defiance” of the Palestine Action ban.
The activist group was banned in July after a high-profile incident in which the group claimed responsibility for damaging two Voyager military aircraft at the Brize Norton air force base.
Observers say the move infringes on freedom of expression and assembly, and more than 200 people have been arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action since it was proscribed.
In their letter, the academics said the ban “represents an attack both on the entire pro-Palestine movement and on fundamental freedoms of expression, association, assembly, and protest”.
Palestine Action supporters hold placards during a demonstration at Parliament Square in London, July 12
Israeli soldiers launch more raids on occupied West Bank
Israeli soldiers and armoured vehicles have launched multiple military actions in the West Bank in the past several hours, including in the village of Tayasir, east of Tubas.
The Wafa news agency quoted local sources as saying Israeli forces stormed the village with several vehicles, deployed infantry forces and raided a commercial store in the centre of the village. No injuries or arrests were reported.
Other local sources said Palestinian Authority forces detonated explosives set by armed Palestinian groups before raids on Tubas.
Israeli forces also stormed the village of Kafr Qaddum, located east of Qalqilya, and set up a military checkpoint to inspect vehicles.
In Dahr al-Abed, south of Jenin, Israeli forces uprooted and destroyed dozens of olive trees on land belonging to a Palestinian.
عاجل| مصادر محلية: أجهزة أمن السلطة تفجر عبوات ناسفة معدة للتصدي لاقتحامات الاحتلال في مدينة طوباس. pic.twitter.com/Fd7tsnITiZ
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) August 8, 2025
Translation: Local sources: Palestinian Authority security forces detonate explosive devices prepared to counter occupation incursions in the city of Tubas.
