DESPITE OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO STOP THE PROSCRIPTION OF PALESTINE ACTION, THE BAN WILL COME IN AT MIDNIGHT
In five years, we have managed to build a direct action movement which successfully disrupted and challenged the Israeli weapons industry. Through relentless actions and the willingness to sacrifice our liberty, we’ve forced shut three Israeli weapons factories, pressured over a dozen companies to cut ties with Elbit Systems and cost the Israeli weapons maker £billions in lost contracts. The most important victory is building an effective global movement in service of the Palestinian people.
It’s clear, we were too effective and the government had to impose the most draconian attack on civil liberties to please the pro-Israel lobby. They may be able to proscribe ‘Palestine Action’, but they can not stop direct action happening across the country in different forms. We are more than just a name, or a network, we are an idea that can never be stopped. To be clear, they can not proscribe the TACTIC of direct action for Palestine.
We are extremely grateful for all of the support we have received over the past few years, and the outpouring of solidarity since the intention to proscribe us was announced. This proscription CAN NOT go unchallenged, and we are pleased to see many who are adamant on resisting the ban through a campaign of civil disobedience.
Breaking unjust laws is a moral duty. Unaffiliated campaign groups, Defend Our Juries and ‘we do not comply’ (wedonotcomply.org), will lead on defiance of the ban and resist the extreme counter-terror laws imposed on all of us. It is a given that there will be resistance.
However, we are also aware that anyone, knowingly or mistakenly, could be committing a terrorist offence just by liking or sharing our social media posts, if they are a British national or are in the ‘United Kingdom’. This could lead to vulnerable communities being harassed and targeted by the state. Whilst we encourage and support a campaign of civil disobedience, all who take part must do so on an informed basis. That’s why our social media will be taken down. For clarity, Palestine Action is ONLY proscribed in Britain.
Many will be rightfully angry at the imposed proscription of Palestine Action. However, with repression always comes more resistance. This is a moment that the British state will likely come to regret. It’s a signal to all of us who are willing to resist, to make the ban unenforceable.
We must resist for our own rights and most importantly, for the Palestinian people facing a genocide. We are all Palestine Action isn’t just a slogan, it’s a state of resistance.
COLLECTIVELY, WE WILL RESIST AND ULTIMATELY, WE WILL WIN