Zarah Sultana

Morning Star Editorial: Zarah Sultana: if Palestine Action are banned as ‘terrorists’ who will be next?

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dizzy: I hope that Morning Star will excuse me quoting this article in it’s entirety.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/zarah-sultana-if-palestine-action-are-banned-terrorists-who-will-be-next

 Zarah Sultana speaking after a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, from Russell Square to Whitehall in central London, June 21, 2025
This week, MPs shamefully approved the proscription of Palestine Action. Several challenged the move in the Commons. Zarah Sultana, Independent MP for Coventry South, gave an outstanding speech in condemnation. Because of the exceptional gravity of the issue, we reproduce her speech, lightly edited, here.

TWENTY-ONE years ago, a human rights barrister … defended an activist who broke into RAF Fairford trying to disable a bomber to prevent war crimes in Iraq. That became a landmark case in lawful, non-violent direct action against an illegal war. That barrister is now our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer KC. He argued that it was not terrorism, but conscience.

Fast-forward to June 20 2025: two Palestine Action activists entered RAF Brize Norton and sprayed red paint — red paint, not fire — on aircraft linked to surveillance flights over Gaza. Instead of prosecuting them for criminal damage, the Home Secretary is using the Terrorism Act 2000 to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

This is an unprecedented and dangerous overreach of the state. Never before in Britain has it been a crime to simply support a group.

Palestine Action’s real crime is shutting down Elbit Systems sites that arm the Israeli military; its true offence is being audacious enough to expose the blood-soaked ties between this government and the genocidal Israeli apartheid state and its war machine.

Let us be clear: to equate a spray can of paint with a suicide bomb is not just absurd; it is grotesque. It is a deliberate distortion of the law to chill dissent, criminalise solidarity and suppress the truth.

Amnesty International, Liberty, over 266 senior lawyers and UN special rapporteurs have all opposed these draconian measures. Under this order, anyone expressing moral support for a proscribed group could face 14 years in prison. That includes wearing a badge, wearing a T-shirt, sharing a post or calling for de-proscription.

And journalists have no exemption either: there is no legal protection for reporting favourably, even factually, about Palestine Action.

Let us not forget what is happening in Gaza, where the real crimes are being ignored: hospitals bombed, children starved, and tens of thousands of people killed. Palestinian children now suffer more amputations per capita than children anywhere else on Earth.

Israel is on trial for genocide at the International Court of Justice, and the Israeli Prime Minister faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, yet the government’s response is to criminalise solidarity and to continue exporting lethal F-35 jets that are decimating Gaza.

We also have to understand the history of this country and what built our democracy: the tradition of civil disobedience that includes the suffragettes, without whom I would not have the vote, let alone the privilege of being here as an MP.

Even those who oppose Palestine Action’s tactics must recognise the vast gulf between criminal damage and terrorism. If this order passes, what and who is next — climate protesters, striking workers, feminists in the street?

Already we have seen a wider crackdown on our civil liberties — musicians censored, journalists arrested, and demonstrators, including MPs sitting here, harassed — and now this government want to use anti-terror laws to make peaceful protest itself a crime. If our democratic institutions functioned as they should, none of this would be necessary.

If this proscription passes, we have to understand that no campaign will be safe tomorrow. We have to recognise that this will go down as a dark day in our country’s history … People will ask, “Which side were you on?” and I stand with the millions of people who oppose genocide, because I am one of them. I oppose the blood-soaked hands of this government trying to silence us. So I say this loudly and proudly: we are all Palestine…

Deputy Speaker intervened here with “Order!”

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/zarah-sultana-if-palestine-action-are-banned-terrorists-who-will-be-next

UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone obect 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 obect 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 "I support Zionism without Qualification" Starmer supporting genocide.
Keir “I support Zionism without Qualification” Starmer supporting genocide.
Continue ReadingMorning Star Editorial: Zarah Sultana: if Palestine Action are banned as ‘terrorists’ who will be next?

Sultana warns that the next election will be a fight between ‘socialism and barbarism’

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/sultana-warns-next-election-will-be-fight-between-socialism-and-barbarism

 Zarah Sultana speaking after a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, from Russell Square to Whitehall in central London, June 21, 2025

ZARAH SULTANA has warned that Labour aping right-wing slogans will only see what has happened in the US, Brazil and India happen in Britain.

The Independent MP told the “confronting the rise of the far-right” panel at Glastonbury festival’s Left Field stage on Saturday warned that the next election will be a fight between “socialism and barbarism.”

“We have to ensure that we defeat Nigel Farage or any kind of fascist incarnation we have at the time,” she said.

…

“It’s a politics that punches down and not up, a politics that scapegoats the most marginalised people.”

She added: “The answer to the politics of hate is the politics of solidarity.

“We have to fight in every possible way — electorally, in our communities, through our trade unions.”

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/sultana-warns-next-election-will-be-fight-between-socialism-and-barbarism

Keir "I support Zionism without Qualification" Starmer supporting genocide.
Keir “I support Zionism without Qualification” Starmer supporting genocide.
Keir Starmer chases Nigel Farage's racist bigot vote.
Keir Starmer chases Nigel Farage’s racist bigot vote.
Nigel Farage reminds you that he's the man that brought you Brexit and asks what could possibly go wrong.
Nigel Farage reminds you that he’s the man that brought you Brexit and asks what could possibly go wrong.
Continue ReadingSultana warns that the next election will be a fight between ‘socialism and barbarism’

We need a public inquiry on Britain’s role in war on Gaza

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/13/we-need-a-public-inquiry-on-britains-role-in-war-on-gaza

In the aftermath of the Iraq war, several attempts were made to establish an inquiry surrounding the conduct of British military operations. Published in 2016, the Chilcot inquiry found serious failings in the British government, which ignored the warnings of millions of ordinary people over its disastrous decision to go to war.

History is repeating itself. Today, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly exceeded 61,000. Two Israeli officials are wanted by the international criminal court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Britain has played a highly influential role in Israel’s military operations, including the sale of weapons, the supply of intelligence and the use of Royal Air Force bases in Cyprus.

Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of democracy. Therefore we are demanding an independent, public inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israel’s military assault in Gaza. This inquiry should establish exactly what decisions have been taken, how they have been made and what consequences they have had. Any meaningful inquiry would require the full cooperation of ministers involved in decision-making processes since October 2023.

Many people believe that the government has taken decisions that have implicated officials in the gravest breaches of international law. These charges will not go away until there is an inquiry with the legal power to establish the truth.

Jeremy Corbyn Independent Alliance, Brendan O’Hara Middle East spokesperson, Scottish National party, Carla Denyer Co-leader, Green party, Brian Leishman Scottish Labour, Diane Abbott Labour, Zarah Sultana Independent, Richard Burgon Labour

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/13/we-need-a-public-inquiry-on-britains-role-in-war-on-gaza

UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
Continue ReadingWe need a public inquiry on Britain’s role in war on Gaza

Bill would force banks to carry out ‘mass surveillance’ of millions of innocent disabled people, MPs are told

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https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/bill-would-force-banks-to-carry-out-mass-surveillance-of-millions-of-innocent-disabled-people-mps-are-told/

A new government bill would force banks to carry out “mass surveillance” of millions of innocent disabled people and other benefit claimants, MPs have been warned.

The measures in the bill would force banks to examine individuals’ accounts for potential breaches of benefit eligibility rules, and then pass that information to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

…

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall told MPs on Monday that the measures would force banks to provide data to “help identify incorrect benefit payments people might be getting, including fraudulently, such as if someone has too much in savings, making them ineligible for a benefit, or if they are fraudulently claiming benefits abroad when they should be living in the UK”.

But independent MP Zarah Sultana said the “algorithm-driven financial surveillance” allowed by the bill would lead to errors that would disproportionately affect disabled and older people and “those already struggling to make ends meet”, and create “a two-tier justice system”.

She said: “Even a one per cent error rate in the AI system used by banks could lead to thousands of benefit recipients being wrongly flagged, unfairly investigated and forced into lengthy appeals.”

She said the bill would allow “mass surveillance” and was “deeply unjust” and would “subject millions of innocent people – disabled individuals, carers, jobseekers, pensioners and parents – to unwarranted financial surveillance, treating them as suspects by default, simply because they receive state support”.

It would, she said, turn banks into “agents of the state”.

Another independent MP, John McDonnell, the former Labour shadow chancellor, said the government was seeking powers for a “mass surveillance exercise”.

He said: “The reason why people will feel that it is unfair is that it specifically targets people who are often in desperate need.

“If there was a group of people whose accounts we would want to monitor because there has been a history of fraud, and who have had to pay money back – some have gone to prison – it would be MPs; I was here during the expenses scandal.”

…

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/bill-would-force-banks-to-carry-out-mass-surveillance-of-millions-of-innocent-disabled-people-mps-are-told/

Keir Starmer confirms that he's proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.
Keir Starmer confirms that he’s proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.
Continue ReadingBill would force banks to carry out ‘mass surveillance’ of millions of innocent disabled people, MPs are told

Far-Right UK Riots Spark ‘Stand Up to Racism’ Counterprotests

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Original article by JESSICA CORBETT republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). I am proud that I participated at one of these protests. It was a community response of people opposing Fascism and nobody else should be permitted to claim credit for it.

Counterprotesters gathered ahead of potential anti-immigration demonstrations on August 7, 2024 in Walthamstow, United Kingdom. (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

“The majority of people in Britain abhor Robinson and the far right,” says one joint statement. “We are the majority, they are the few.”

From Birmingham, Brighton, and Bristol, to Liverpool, London, Newcastle, and Northampton, counterprotesters gathered across the United Kingdom on Wednesday to decry far-right riots and attacks against immigrants and Muslims.

Since the weekend, far-right protesters have targeted mosques, libraries, and even a hotel housing asylum-seekers—responding at least in part to online disinformation about the suspect in a deadly stabbing attack on a children’s dance class. The demonstrations and expectations they would continue Wednesday evening drew anti-racists to the streets in several U.K. cities.

“The far right are spreading racism, Islamophobia, and hatred,” says a Stand Up to Racism statement published in the Daily Mirror Wednesday and signed by actors, artists, drag performers, journalists, labor leaders, musicians, peace advocates, and members of Parliament—including Jeremy Corbyn, an Independent, along with Labour’s Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana.

The statement calls out far-right activist Tommy Robinson as well as political figures in the United Kingdom—including MP Nigel Farage of Reform U.K. and former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman—and across Europe, emphasizing that “racism and Islamophobia in Parliament is leading to racism and Islamophobia on the streets.”

Despite Labour’s unpopularity under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the party last month ended 14 years of Conservative rule at the national level with a landslide electoral victory. While Starmer has condemned the recent far-right riots, critics including Sultana have called on him and other British to explicitly denounce the attacks as Islamophobic.

“All those who oppose this must join in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive back the fascist. The majority of people in Britain abhor Robinson and the far right,” the new joint statement says. We are the majority, they are the few. Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again. We must Stand Up to Racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism.”

In response to such calls, as The Independent reported Wednesday, “up to 25,000 protesters, some chanting ‘hate not welcome’ and ‘refugees welcome here,’ gathered in towns and cities like Walthamstow, Finchley, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Blackpool as nearly 100 far-right rallies failed to materialize.”

As Sky News detailed:

In Birmingham, several hundred anti-racism protesters—some carrying signs such as “no place for hate” and “bigots out of Brum”—gathered outside a migrant center in the Jewellery Quarter.

A large group then marched into the center of the city, with no signs of any far-right groups in the area.

Meanwhile, “counterprotesters are outnumbering anti-immigration protesters in Brighton tonight by about a hundred to one,” and chanting, “Fascist scum, off our streets,” according to Brighton and Hove News.

BBC News reported that “thousands of people gathered in Old Market in Bristol to counter a rumored anti-immigration rally,” specifically, “claims on social media that protestors were planning to target an immigration lawyer’s business premises.”

“Bristol is a very vibrant and a welcoming city,” a man who is originally from Gambia named Habib told the BBC. “Bristolians would not allow anybody to bring chaos into Bristol… I’m gonna join the Bristolians to stop what’s going to happen tonight.”

“Like the old saying goes—divided we fall, together we stand,” he said. “I think standing here together tonight is very significant.”

The crowd in Bristol chanted, “Say it out loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” a message repeated by signs carried in the English city and beyond it. Their posters and banners also forcefully denounced racism and fascism.

“In Liverpool they held banners such as ‘Nans Against Nazis,’ ‘Immigrants welcome. Racists not,’ and ‘When the poor blame the poor only the rich win,” The Guardian reported. “An elderly man with a portable speaker resting on his walking frame played John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ on repeat.”

In the city known as the birthplace of The Beatles, counterprotesters were protecting the Asylum Link building, according to The Liverpool Echo. Addressing the crowd, Ewan Roberts, who manages the center thanked everyone for coming out “even when you weren’t asked” and declared that “the people are stronger when they are united.”

Counterprotesters came together in multiple locations across London, with some chanting, “When fascists attack, we fight back.”

In Walthamstow, a town in an outer London borough, Clara Serra López told the BBC that “England wouldn’t be anything without immigration.”

“I’m here because I am an immigrant, a European immigrant, which comes with a lot of privilege,” the demonstrator added. “It is quite an important time for white British and white immigrants to show up for the ones that might be really fearful to come here.”

As ChronicleLive reported:

Thousands of people gathered in Newcastle‘s West End on Wednesday evening in a counterprotest in moving scenes outside The Beacon on Westgate Road. The crowd is estimated to have exceeded 3,000 as locals vowed to stand up to the far-right. Demonstrators held up signs reading “Geordies are of all colours” and “We love our West End”.

One attendee of the counterdemonstration vowed: “This is a peaceful protest. We will defend our community.”

“We were expecting big numbers of people, but you do have to see it to believe it. It makes me so happy to have seen so many here,” Madina Mosque Imam Ali Asad, who attended the Newcastle demonstration, told the outlet. “It makes me happy to see the fact that this is beyond race or religion. It’s about community.”

In Northampton, footage shared on social media showed counterprotesters dancing on Kettering Road.

There were also demonstrations in cities including Sheffield and Southampton. In the latter, “around 50 far-right demonstrators turned up,” according toThe Telegraph, “but their chants were drowned out by around 400 counterprotesters who sang ‘there are many, many, many more of us than you.'”

Original article by JESSICA CORBETT republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). I am proud that I participated at one of these protests. It was a community response of people opposing Fascism and nobody else should be permitted to claim credit for it.

Continue ReadingFar-Right UK Riots Spark ‘Stand Up to Racism’ Counterprotests