Corbyn to lead ‘Gaza tribunal’ into UK role in Israel’s war
Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party leader, is set to host a two-day event examining the UK’s role in Israel’s war on Gaza, casting the “tribunal” as an attempt to bring about justice for the Palestinian people.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, is among those expected to contribute, as well as medics who have volunteered in Gaza, such as British surgeon Victoria Rose, aid workers, experts and survivors.
Organisers said Labour MP Richard Burgon and journalists who have reported on the ground and from afar will also participate, including investigative reporter Matt Kennard, who has been tracking the UK’s surveillance flights over Gaza.
“The public deserves to know the full scale of their government’s complicity in genocide. That is why we are holding The Gaza Tribunal. We will uncover the truth,” the website of the initiative says.
Scotland announces end to public funding for firms arming Israel
Speaking to members of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, First Minister John Swinney said the government will stop providing public money to companies providing weapons to Israel.
“We will pause new awards of public money to arms companies whose products or services are provided to countries where there is plausible evidence of genocide being committed by that country. That will include Israel,” he said.
“Any defence company seeking support from the Scottish government will have to demonstrate that its products are not involved militarily with Israel.”
Swinney called on the British government to review its “duty in international law to respond when there is a serious risk of genocide” and withdraw from the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
UK police arrest Palestine Action supporter for planning protest
UK police have arrested a Palestine Action supporter for allegedly taking part in a Zoom video meeting to plan a protest.
Orwell's 1984 is here...
Six more people prosecuted in UK for supporting Palestine Action
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced six people are being prosecuted for organising protests and online meetings in support of Palestine Action, an activist group proscribed as a “terror” organisation in July.
CPS said the prosecutions relate to gatherings held in London, Manchester, and Cardiff between July 12 and August 9, as well as another rally scheduled for September 6 in London. They also relate to more than a dozen meetings held on Zoom in July and August.
The British government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000 has drawn widespread criticism, with rights groups saying it infringes on freedom of speech and the right to protest while aiming to stifle demonstrations against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Membership in or support for the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Hundreds of people have been arrested across the UK since the ban was enacted.
Police arrest an 89-year-old protester at a rally in support of Palestine Action in London on August 9
