“Palestine Solidarity Leaders Convicted in UK, Alliance Calls Verdict “Shocking

In a move that has drawn widespread criticism across British human rights and political circles, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance has condemned the guilty verdicts against Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and Chris Nineham, deputy chair of the Stop the War Coalition (StW). The alliance described the rulings as “extraordinary and shocking,” calling them a major setback for civil liberties in the UK.

Full Support and Planned Appeal

The alliance confirmed that both Jamal and Nineham plan to appeal the verdicts immediately. They emphasized that the two leaders have the full backing of all organizations under the Palestine Solidarity Alliance. The statement also highlighted “serious concerns” over the conduct of the six-day trial, which will be a central focus of the upcoming appeal.

The convictions stem from a symbolic protest outside the BBC headquarters, where Jamal and a delegation of MPs, trade union leaders, and members of the Jewish Bloc laid flowers to protest the broadcaster’s coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to the alliance, the protest was fully peaceful, and video evidence shows police officers themselves invited the delegation to pass.

Authorities’ claims of public disorder were described by the alliance as “entirely false.” The statement pointed out that the only violence recorded that day was police dragging Nineham to the ground and forcibly removing him.

Political Pressure and Threats to Democracy

The statement also revealed that police records show significant pressure from pro-Israel lobby groups to prevent the protest. The alliance warned that the timing of the verdict coincides with the ongoing debate over the Crime and Policing Bill, which it says could further restrict democratic freedoms.

Resilience Against Intimidation

The alliance concluded that targeting leaders of the popular solidarity movement, which has mobilized millions across UK streets, is an attempt to intimidate those opposing genocide, apartheid, and occupation. “These efforts will not succeed,” the statement said, reaffirming the movement’s commitment to continue its activism.

Organizations endorsing the statement:

• Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
• Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
• Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA)
• Stop the War Coalition (StW)
• Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
• Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

Read More

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