People taking part in a national march for Palestine on Whitehall in central London, January 18, 2025
TWO pro-Palestine campaigners being found guilty of breaching protest conditions yesterday is “a huge setback for civil liberties,” supporters said.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) director Ben Jamal and Stop the War vice-chair Chris Nineham made clear they will be appealing the verdicts as they criticised the “absurdity” of the case.
Jeremy Corbyn called the verdicts “a dark day for civil liberties in this country.”
District judge Daniel Sternberg found both Mr Jamal and Mr Nineham guilty of failing to comply with conditions imposed on the January 18 2025 Whitehall protest.
Mr Jamal was in addition found guilty of inciting others to fail to comply following the trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
A key part of the defence was that the conditions imposed on the protest, which prevented a march to the BBC, were unlawful.
Defence barrister, Mark Summers KC, submitted a detailed legal argument outlining this case, including that the Court of Appeal had already ruled in a previous case that imposing conditions on the basis of “more than minor” disruption was unlawful.
But Mr Sternberg told the court he was not obliged to give any reasons for his decision, instead handing it down in a 54-page written judgment, with a short summary for the media.
He gave both men conditional discharges of 18 and 12 months respectively and ordered them each to pay £7,500 in costs.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Nineham said: “We think this is an extraordinary and shocking decision and a huge setback for civil liberties in this country.
“It is clearly part of an ongoing criminalisation of the Palestine movement in which people protesting against a genocide are being targeted by a British Establishment that is colluding with it.
“It is an attempt to send a chilling message across society that people shouldn’t risk protesting. It is an attempt that will not stop us.”
Mr Jamal said: “We will be appealing. We will be appealing because of concerns about how this trial has been conducted.
“The judge did not see fit to deliver his judgment in open court.
“I have always been of the view that in a court, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, March 31, 2026, in Washington
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump struck a hard line today in a social media post, demanding that Iran stop blocking the Strait of Hormuz, or the US would bomb the Iranians “back to the Stone Ages.”
A day earlier, President Trump had said the US “will not have anything to do with” ensuring the security of ships passing through Hormuz; that was itself an apparent backtrack from an earlier threat to attack Iran’s power grid and other infrastructure if it didn’t open the strait by April 6.
…
Mr Trump has continued to insist that negotiations between the US and Iran are progressing well and claims Iran is “begging to make a deal.”
The Iranians have said that while messages have been sent between Tehran and Washington, there have been no formal negotiations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said today his country has the “necessary will” to end the war with the US and Israel.
Talking to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “You cannot speak to the people of Iran in the language of threats and deadlines.
“We do not set any deadline for defending ourselves.”
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
FW Pomeroy’s Statue of Justice stands atop the Central Criminal Court building, Old Bailey, London
THE conviction of Palestine Solidarity and Stop the War leaders Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham is a perfect example of the way in which Establishment values underpin the functioning of the state, its coercive apparatus — the police, and the Metropolitan Police in particular — and, as clearly demonstrated today, the judicial system.
Last year’s January 18 protest was one in a series of Palestine solidarity demonstrations in response to the Gaza genocide. By and large they passed without public order incidents and the police, no doubt conscious of the huge public support for the issue, proved careful and courteous in dealing with both organisers and participants.
In this particular case, however, a different mood developed. The police and intelligence organisations know full well — through long experience and with excellent sources of information — that the solidarity movement is in the business of shifting public opinion, not causing disorder.
The charitable will put the police conduct on the day down to incompetence and confusion. The less charitable to conscious design.
Let the legal representatives of the defendants and their organisations speak to the judicial bias exhibited by the court and let us go beyond the surface appearances of bourgeois justice to see how these parts of the system work together.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
An F15 fighter jet landing at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk
ANTI-WAR protesters set up an international peace camp at RAF Lakenheath today amid evidence that US nuclear weapons have arrived at the base.
Organised by Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, of which CND is a member, the camp is protesting against US B61-12 nuclear bombs at the site.
The camp, which began with a 24-hour vigil, is also highlighting its role in facilitating Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the ongoing illegal attacks on Iran.
CND ad vans will tour around East Anglia, including at towns and villages near the base, to demand PM Sir Keir Starmer kick out US President Donald Trump’s nukes from Britain.
The camp is also calling on communities to join a major Give Peace a Chance demonstration and blockade at RAF Lakenheath from noon this Saturday.
CND general secretary Sophie Bolt said: “Over 60 per cent of the British population oppose the deployment of these US nuclear weapons in Britain.
“With the reckless leadership of Donald Trump, they put us on the front line of his devastating wars.
“Both RAF Lakenheath and nearby RAF Mildenhall have been heavily involved in the ongoing illegal attacks of Iran.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at a press conference to announce the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act at the US Capitol on March 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
The progressive congresswoman has been named as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
A private meeting between Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and an increasingly influential progressive New York City organization on Tuesday evening revealed new evidence of Israel’s “weakening position,” as one journalist observed, as the potential 2028 presidential contender committed to voting against any military funding for the Middle Eastern superpower, including for “defensive” weapons.
To the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), whose New York City chapter Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) met with on Tuesday, the congresswoman’s failure to vote against a 2021 funding package for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system—instead voting “present”—represented a significant betrayal of the fight for Palestinian rights and against Israel’s violent anti-Palestinian policies.
The congresswoman further angered solidarity organizers in 2024 when she voted in favor of a resolution to adopt a definition of antisemitism that conflates the term with criticism of Israel, and last year she voted against an amendment to strip Iron Dome funding from a must-pass defense spending bill. She then voted against the Defense Appropriations Act itself, which included spending for offensive weapons for Israel.
On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez was clear when asked by a DSA organizer whether she would support an arms embargo on Israel, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians in Gaza since beginning its US-backed assault there in 2023; is currently joining the US in attacking Iran; and has killed over 1,000 people in the region in the last month as it’s pledged to use Gaza as a “model” for its attacks on Lebanon.
“I have not once ever voted to authorize funding to Israel, and I will never,” Ocasio-Cortez said in response to the question. “The Israeli government should be able to finance their own weapons if they seek to arm themselves.”
A member asked to clarify in a follow-up question, asking specifically, “If the moment presents itself in Congress, will you commit to voting ‘no’ for any spending on arms for Israel, including so-called ‘defensive capabilities?’”
“Yes,” Ocasio-Cortez replied, according to a partial recording of the meeting.
DSA members who attended the forum also reported that Ocasio-Cortez committed to opposing the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism, which claims that “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavor,” and “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis,” are examples of anti-Jewish bias.
The positions expressed by Ocasio-Cortez at the DSA forum have already been embraced by other progressive lawmakers like Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), but some observers noted that Ocasio-Cortez committed to voting against all military funding for Israel as she’s been named a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race.
Political strategist Chris Sosa said Ocasio-Cortez’s clear position against all weapons for Israel “will echo across the Democratic Party” and is a sign of a new “common litmus test” for candidates.
AOC's commitment to not arming Israel at all during the NYC-DSA forum will echo across the Democratic Party. She's considered a mainstream politician and serious contender for president. Expect no money for Israel military aid, including "defensive," to be a common litmus test.
“Whatever Israel’s level of popularity is right now is its ceiling, because Israel is going to take a huge part of the blame for the financial crisis and likely recession about to hit us,” said Ryan Grim of Drop Site News, referring to the growing economic turmoil that’s resulted from the US-Israeli war on Iran. “And while the global economy is on its knees, Israel will *still* be pushing for the war on Iran to continue. And people will have had more than enough.”
“Alexandria Ocasio-Corronez breaking against Israel here is a major sign of their weakening position,” added Grim.
A poll released last month by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies found that more US voters now view Israel negatively than positively. In 2023, 47% of Americans viewed Israel in a positive light, versus 24% who had negative views of the country’s government.
At Groundwork DSA, a faction within the organization that aims for the DSA to “become a genuine, mass political party,” one organizer noted that Ocasio-Cortez’s position sets her apart from other Democrats who are thought to be likely presidential contenders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who refused to back an arms embargo during her 2024 campaign.
Neither Newsom nor Harris “will be ideologically willing to even consider an arms embargo against Israel,” wrote organizer J. Kraush ahead of Tuesday’s forum. “More importantly, they can not be swayed on the topic, precisely because there is no political or financial benefit for them to move. We can expect them to receive millions in funding from Zionist organizations such as AIPAC, especially if AOC remains a front-runner.”
While establishment Democrats continue to back military funding for Israel, Ocasio-Cortez’s commitment “is the right thing to do and the leadership Democratic voters want to see,” said progressive organizer Daniel Denvir.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.Donald Fuhrump says that Amerikkka doesn’t bother with crimes or charges anymore, not being 100% Amerikkkan and opposing his real estate intentions is enough.Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
People taking part in a national march for Palestine on Whitehall in central London, January 18, 2025
