On Saturday 28th October, up to 500 000 people joined the National March for Palestine in London calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The march was peaceful, dignified and well-ordered, with less than 10 arrests. The march, supported by MPs and trade unionists representing millions of British people, was united in calling for an end to the massacre of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including over 3000 children. For Home Secretary Suella Braverman to characterise those making this call for an end to the commission of war crimes, as “hateful” is grotesque, irresponsible and further evidence of her unfitness for public office.
Braverman has previously sought to link the Palestinian flag, the symbol of Palestinian nationhood and struggle for liberation from military occupation and apartheid, with support for terrorism – urging police to treat those displaying it as “suspects”. She has falsely asserted the chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is a call for the eradication of Jewish Israelis, when it is actually a call for the dismantling of the system of apartheid that affects all Palestinians, whether in Gaza, the West Bank or Israel. By so doing she is contributing to a climate of intolerance, a dehumanising of Palestinians, including British Palestinians, and is further threatening the right to protest in this country. Her remarks will be condemned by anyone who respects democratic freedoms, the implementation of international law, and the humanity of Palestinians.
PSC will continue to organise large protests clear on the foundations of respect for international law and anti-racism which inform our movement. We remain confident that we will be joined in protesting by hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens committed to these values.