Advisers Cautioned Ministers That Proscribing Palestine Action Could Increase Its Public Profile

Official papers reveal that policymakers proceeded with a proscription on Palestine Action notwithstanding receiving counsel that such steps could “unintentionally boost” the group’s standing, according to leaked official documents.

Background

This advisory paper was written three months before the legal outlawing of the group, which came into being to conduct protests designed to curb UK arms supplies to Israel.

The document was written three months ago by officials at the Home Office and the housing and communities department, with input from national security policing experts.

Opinion Polling

Following the subheading “In what way might the outlawing of the organisation be regarded by British people”, a part of the report cautioned that a proscription could prove to be a divisive issue.

The document characterized the network as a “modest specialized movement with less general news coverage” compared to comparable protest groups including environmental activists. But it noted that the network’s protests, and detentions of its supporters, had attracted publicity.

Officials stated that research suggested “rising frustration with Israel’s defense tactics in Gaza”.

In the lead-up to its central thesis, the report referenced a study finding that a majority of British citizens felt Israel had overstepped in the war in Gaza and that a like percentage favored a ban on weapons exports.

“These represent positions based on which the organization builds its profile, campaigning directly to challenge the Israeli military exports in the United Kingdom,” it said.

“If that PAG is proscribed, their public image may accidentally be boosted, finding support among like-thinking individuals who disagree with the British role in the Israeli arms industry.”

Additional Warnings

The advisers said that the general populace were against appeals from the rightwing media for harsh steps, including a proscription.

Further segments of the document mentioned polling saying the citizens had a “limited knowledge” about Palestine Action.

The document said that “much of the citizens are likely presently ignorant of the group and would stay that way should there be outlawing or, upon being told, would continue generally untroubled”.

The outlawing under terrorism laws has resulted in demonstrations where thousands have been arrested for displaying signs in the streets saying “I am against genocide, I stand with the group”.

This briefing, which was a public reaction study, said that a ban under terrorism laws could increase inter-community tensions and be viewed as official favoritism in support of Israel.

The briefing warned ministers and senior officials that proscription could become “a catalyst for significant dispute and censure”.

Post-Ban Developments

Huda Ammori of the network, commented that the report’s advisories had materialized: “Awareness of the issues and popularity of the network have increased dramatically. This proscription has been counterproductive.”

The interior minister at the time, the minister, declared the proscription in June, shortly following the group’s members supposedly committed acts at an air force station in the county. Government representatives asserted the destruction was substantial.

The schedule of the briefing indicates the proscription was under consideration long prior to it was revealed.

Ministers were informed that a ban might be perceived as an undermining of personal freedoms, with the officials noting that some within the administration as well as the broader population may consider the decision as “an expansion of security authorities into the realm of speech rights and activism.”

Official Responses

An interior ministry spokesperson stated: “Palestine Action has engaged in an growing wave entailing property destruction to the UK’s key installations, harassment, and alleged violence. Such behavior puts the safety and security of the public at risk.

“Rulings on outlawing are carefully considered. They are informed by a comprehensive fact-driven system, with assistance from a diverse set of experts from multiple agencies, the authorities and the Security Service.”

An anti-terror official said: “Rulings relating to outlawing are a prerogative for the cabinet.

“In line with public expectations, national security forces, together with a variety of other agencies, regularly supply information to the Home Office to aid their operations.”

This briefing also showed that the Cabinet Office had been paying for regular surveys of social friction related to the Middle East conflict.