Jury begins deliberations in the trial of pro-Palestine activist Sarah Cotte

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/jury-begins-deliberations-trial-pro-palestine-activist-sarah-cotte

 Sarah Cotte arriving at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, central London, where she is charged with two counts of expressing support for Hamas, March 24, 2025

PROTESTERS gathered outside the Old Bailey today as the jury began deliberating in the trial of 22-year-old pro-Palestine activist Sarah Cotte.

Supporters from the Defend the Soas 2 campaign held up a banner reading: “Defend the right to protest for Palestine — Drop charges now!” and waved Palestine flags.

Ms Cotte, a former student at the School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas), faces two counts under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for a speech she gave at the university in October 2023 on the right of the Palestinian people to armed self-defence.

The prosecution followed a complaint by UK Lawyers for Israel, leading to a police raid on her home in January 2024.

In her closing remarks on Friday, defence barrister Margo Munro Kerr reminded the jury that Ms Cotte’s speech was completely legal and that protecting solidarity with Palestine is “an absolute necessity in a democratic society.”

During the week-long hearing, many individuals and organisations have joined the protest outside the court.

Supporters have also stood shoulder to shoulder with the “Filton 8” defendants, who are currently undergoing their own trial at the Old Bailey.

A Defend the Soas 2 spokesperson said: “This trial has never been about justice; it is about intimidation.

“The Terrorism Act 2000 is being deployed by a zionist-supporting Labour government precisely as it was intended: to systematically criminalise anti-imperialists and silence solidarity with liberation movements.

“While Israeli war criminals enter Britain fresh from committing genocide in Gaza without a glance from the police, a young woman is dragged through the courts for speaking the truth.

“Sarah did not break under the prosecution’s pressure, and neither will we.”

SOAS student charged with terrorism: “All I ever did was speak about a right that Palestinians have under international law”

Police allege Sarah was “inviting support for a proscribed organisation”, i.e., Hamas. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

A guilty verdict would criminalise free speech and assembly in defence of the Palestinians on university campuses across Britain.

On the day Sarah was charged, police arrested her comrade, who was standing outside Hammersmith police station waiting for her release. Eyewitnesses say the student was targeted for holding Sarah’s bag, which contained her phone and other personal items later impounded by police. Together, they are known as the SOAS 2.

Sarah: The maximum penalty I could get is 14 years of prison time, which is incredibly harsh. But more serious is the precedent it would set for expressions of support for the Palestinian resistance being treated as illegal speech under the Terrorism Act 2000, as expressions of support for proscribed organizations. We must fight back against this, because it would restrict our freedom of speech even further. The repercussions on the movement here would be far ranging and dangerous. We need to bring more awareness to these cases. All I ever did was speak about a right that the Palestinians have under international law, and for that I could go to prison.

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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.

Continue ReadingJury begins deliberations in the trial of pro-Palestine activist Sarah Cotte

‘Time for condemning is over’: Palestine’s UN envoy demands end to Israeli annexation of Palestinian land

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This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Riyad Mansour makes a speech after the adoption of the Gaza draft resolution submitted by the United States to the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York, United States on June 10, 2024 [Selçuk Acar – Anadolu Agency]

Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour called for an end to Israel’s illegal annexation of Palestinian land, saying “annexation is an act of war” that “kills all peace efforts” and “cannot be bargained with,” Anadolu reports.

“Israel has decided to entrench its occupation rather than bring it to an end; whether in the Gaza Strip, where it has unlawfully seized control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, or in the West Bank, where it has effectively annexed over 60% of the West Bank and all of East Jerusalem,” Mansour said at the UN Security Council.

He said Israel’s actions are “not only illegal” but also “contrary to President (Donald) Trump’s plan and resolution 2803, which explicitly states there should be no occupation and no annexation,” adding that they aim at “blocking the promised pathway for Palestinian self-determination and independent statehood.”

Mansour warned that Israeli colonial plans in the E1 area amount to “a death penalty for the Palestinian state and the prospect for peace in our region.”

He also said Israel is “dismantling the historic status quo through repeated assaults against the sanctity of the holy site while asserting control over them,” as Palestinian communities continue to be “terrorized by Israeli occupation forces and settlers with constant attacks, the demolition of their homes, their forcible removal from their ancestral land.”

65 Palestinian students arrested by Israel in occupied West Bank this year: Rights group

On Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, Mansour said the move is “not only illegal and part and parcel of stealing our resources, whether financial or natural,” warning it “aims at the collapse of the PA (Palestinian Authority) and constitutes such a threat to peace and security, given the political, social, and human ramifications and the impact on regional stability.”

He stressed that, despite global opposition, “annexation is underway at a faster pace than ever, more publicly than ever,” with Israel “defying the international community and denying international declarations.”

“Annexation is an act of war. It kills all peace efforts; it cannot be bargained with. It must be stopped,” Mansour said, calling on the international community to act decisively rather than issue further condemnations.

Noting that “the time for condemning and rejecting annexation is over,” he added: “Now is the time to end it once and for all and to choose resolutely the path of Palestinian self-determination and independent statehood and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states of the region, including Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, towards shared security and prosperity in our region.”

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

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 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/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue Reading‘Time for condemning is over’: Palestine’s UN envoy demands end to Israeli annexation of Palestinian land

Palestine activist jailed as ‘terrorist’ speaks out

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https://www.declassifieduk.org/palestine-activist-jailed-as-terrorist-speaks-out/

Ellie Kamio and her mother Emma. (Photo: Supplied)

Exclusive: We spoke to Ellie Kamio, one of the first people in British history to be sentenced as a terrorist for property damage

“Other than hexing the man, I really wasn’t surprised”.

This is how Leona Kamio, known as Ellie, describes what was going through her mind when a judge announced she would be sentenced as a terrorist alongside three co-defendants earlier this month.

Kamio, a 30-year-old nursery teacher, had been convicted of criminal damage in connection with a Palestine Action raid on an Israeli arms firm in Filton, Bristol, in August 2024.

The jury that tried her had not been informed that any convictions could later carry a “terrorism connection”, she tells Declassified from Bronzefield prison in her first interview since being convicted.

During that trial, the defendants were also not allowed to explain why they targeted Elbit Systems or even say the word “genocide”, stripping the action of all context.

Kamio and her three co-defendants, Charlotte Head, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, and Samuel Corner, have now been sentenced to a combined total of more than 25 years in prison. Two others, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin, were found not guilty.

In the morning before the sentencing hearing, Kamio felt that the judge, Mr Justice Johnson, already “had pre-written a crazy sentence”. 

The “terrorism connection”, says Kamio, means the activists will serve at least two-thirds of their prison sentences, though it is “likely we’ll have to sit out the whole five-year term”.

Continues at https://www.declassifieduk.org/palestine-activist-jailed-as-terrorist-speaks-out/

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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Continue ReadingPalestine activist jailed as ‘terrorist’ speaks out

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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 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.
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.
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.
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UK Doctors’ Union Drops Israel-Backed Definition of Antisemitism

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https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/25/uk-doctors-union-drops-israel-backed-definition-of-antisemitism/

Amer Ghazzal/Cover Images via Reuters Connect

The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to drop the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism over fears it had a “chilling” effect on free speech, including support for Palestine.

The IHRA definition regards certain criticisms of Israel – including that its existence is a racist endeavour – as antisemitic. In the UK, it has been widely adopted by the national government, policing and local authorities. 

The definition was officially adopted by Israel’s government in 2017. Doctors voted to drop it at the BMA’s annual meeting on Tuesday over fears that medics are being punished for their views on international politics.

Several doctors have faced suspension and disciplinary action over their support for Palestine. They include plastic surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah who was cleared of antisemitism allegations in January after writing a newspaper article for a Lebanese outlet and two posts on X that critics said showed support for Hamas. 

continues at https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/25/uk-doctors-union-drops-israel-backed-definition-of-antisemitism/

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.
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.

Continue ReadingUK Doctors’ Union Drops Israel-Backed Definition of Antisemitism