Advocacy groups have documented over 900 instances of what they describe as repression against individuals expressing solidarity with Palestine in Britain over the last six years.
Systemic Targeting
According to the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and Forensic Architecture, those targeted have experienced a range of consequences including smears, disinformation, harassment, doxing, visa cancellations, financial blacklisting, loss of employment, and arrest.
Bob Trafford of Forensic Architecture described the documented incidents as part of a “system” that is “organic, multipolar, self-reinforcing and mutually exacerbating.” He stated this system aims to raise the “personal cost” for individuals expressing their views and to limit civil society’s ability to respond to events like genocide.
Who is Affected?
Students, academics, and teachers have been the most frequent targets, accounting for 336 of the documented incidents. Activists and organizers were also frequently targeted, appearing in 229 cases. Artists and cultural workers have experienced cancellations of events in 71 instances.
The ELSC has stated it does not assess whether allegations of antisemitism or terrorism support are valid, but rather documents the instances where such allegations are made.
Sajja Iqbal, a teacher and member of the Redbridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was investigated and received a formal warning after participating in a protest at a Sainsbury’s supermarket. She and others removed Israeli goods from the shelves and presented a letter to the store manager calling for a boycott.
Iqbal reported that her name and school were widely publicized, impacting her well-being. She intends to pursue legal action with the assistance of the ELSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main “actors of repression”?
According to the ELSC, the main “actors of repression” are police (220 incidents), educational institutions (192), pro-Israel advocacy groups (141), and journalists and other media actors (141).
What types of actions are included in the “index of repression”?
The index includes cases of harassment, violence, doxing, arrests, cancelled protests or events, and threats to employment or funding.
Has the ELSC assessed the validity of the allegations made against those targeted?
No, the ELSC’s senior monitoring officer, Tara Mariwany, stated that the group’s role is simply to document the incidents, not to determine the validity of allegations such as antisemitism or support for terrorism.
As this data becomes public, it remains to be seen whether increased scrutiny will be placed on the allegations used to justify these actions, and what impact this may have on future expressions of solidarity with Palestine.
