Attempts by some to connect the series of horrific antisemitic attacks in north London with the marches in solidarity with Palestine are false.
The Stop the War Coalition has been proud to be part of organising these mass marches in support of the people of Gaza and against the genocide of the Israeli government. Indeed, we have campaigned for justice for Palestine since our founding 25 years ago, because we recognise that this question is inextricably linked to the wars throughout the Middle East which continue today in Iran and Lebanon.
We believe that the statements by Jonathan Hall KC, suggesting that the Palestine marches should be subject to a ‘moratorium’ because of the series of antisemitic attacks in North London, are unacceptable.
We condemn unequivocally these attacks, as we do all forms of antisemitism and racism. No one should be attacked for their race or religion.
However, the attempts by Hall, sections of the media and some politicians to connect such attacks with the Palestine marches are wrong. Our marches are against the treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza, against the killing of up to 200,000 people in the past two and a half years, the destruction of most of the Gaza Strip, and the targeting of hospitals and other civilian sites. They are in protest at the role of the Israeli government, and the complicity of the British government in these attacks.
These marches are supported by many Jewish people who attend. They are not the ‘hate marches’ described by right wing politicians but expressions of solidarity and support for those under attack. The aims to criminalise the protests, which reflect majority public opinion in this country, or worse to connect them with racist or terrorist attacks being carried out against Jewish people, are scurrilous and should be rejected. They appear to be part of a wider agenda to clamp down on protest more generally, and to limit our rights. In a democracy, we have the right to peaceful protest and we will continue to exercise it. We will be marching on 16 May for the Nakba.