HALDANE STATEMENT ON BANNING PALESTINE SOLIDARITY MARCHES

The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers notes with concern recent statements from politicians including the Prime Minister suggesting that Palestine solidarity marches may be stopped or banned. We are equally concerned that the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, has called for a “moratorium” on such marches, and claimed that it is “impossible” for them not to “incubate” antisemitism.

We condemn recent antisemitic attacks around the country and extend our solidarity to the Jewish community. However, the response to such events is for communities to stand together against violence. What should not and cannot be allowed is a clampdown on the right to protest on unsupported and overbroad grounds. To suggest, as Mr Hall and others have done, that Palestine solidarity marches have anything to do with the attacks we have seen is both wrong and dangerous.

For more than two years, hundreds of thousands of people, including Jewish campaigning organisations and anti-racist activists, have turned out to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to oppose genocide. The police already have a range of powers under existing legislation they can use, and which we have seen used, in order to deal with anyone suspected of offences. Any restriction on freedom of expression and assembly must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.

It is striking that, even as these threats are made, the Met has refused the Palestine Coalition’s preferred Nakba Day route on 16 May while clearing Central London for a far-right mobilisation called by Tommy Robinson on the same day. There is no justification for the threats to the right to protest we have seen in recent days.

The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers will support all appropriate legal challenges to any ban or sweeping restriction imposed on Palestine solidarity marches. We stand with all those exercising the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly in solidarity with the Palestinian people.