Since the latest Israeli genocide against the Palestinians began in October, the justice group CAGE International has uncovered an alarming surge in incidences where expressions of Palestinian solidarity have been censored in the UK. [1]
In a 14-page report published on Thursday, the authors warn that there has been a 455 per cent increase in cases handled by CAGE since the last notable upswing in 2021.
According to the Muslim advocacy organisation, between October and December 2023 it worked on 214 cases, encompassing a wide array of settings, including 35 protest-related cases, 35 workplace incidents, 118 school and college cases, 13 mosque-related incidents, and 13 university situations. [1]
This data is arguably proving that a concerted high-level effort is being made to shut down pro-Palestine activity, by casting as wide a net as possible. [2]
Anas Mustapha, the Head of Public Advocacy at CAGE International, said of the findings,
“The repression faced by our clients for their solidarity with Palestine is a reflection of the systemic Islamophobia, racism, and anti-Palestinian discrimination prevalent in segments of society and government.
“We’re witnessing high levels of repression of Palestine solidarity, with employers, teachers, and police acting upon prejudice and increasingly disturbing levels of irrational intolerance.” [1]
Mustapha continued,
“The hostile environment created by the state has incentivised harsh penalties being imposed by the police, schools, universities, central and local government, as well as employers.” [1]
Human voices behind the censorship
Senior NHS official targeted mother who exposed IDF lies
The report’s authors have also highlighted five highly “significant” or “notable” case studies, including that of a Leicester mother who faced harassment online after writing a social media post that exposed the lies and dishonesty of IDF reports on its attack on Gaza.
Her exposure of the Zionist state’s disinformation led to hate comments, including one person labelling her a “terrorist” and leaking her home address.
Most shockingly, the individual who labelled her a “terrorist” had pro-Zionist and anti-Palestine content plastered on their social media, in addition to reportedly holding a senior position in the NHS.
After the address removal and police involvement, the individual issued a formal apology.
Teacher sacked after expressing pro-Palestine positions
In another case, the advocacy group noted that a teacher was fired for going against the school position on impartiality, when the institution had shown itself to be clearly biased by dismissing him.
“William”, a Muslim revert teacher, said of the appalling incident,
“I felt betrayed and abandoned by my school.
“I felt scapegoated just because I am a revert to Islam. It crushes my soul to know first-hand that my school thinks absolutely nothing of a literal genocide.
“Schools must stop saying they are impartial when they are in fact partial, for Israel. Staff must be allowed to think what they want as long as it abides by the law. We must stop censoring Muslims.” [1]
Student removed from class for wearing pro-Palestine shirt
Yassar Mohammed, a youth worker that provided support to a Palestinian pupil who was ejected from a classroom because they wore a Palestine shirt on mufti day, described the deep anger felt by the local area in the following words,
“The whole community was outraged … the school reversed its policies and apologised. It was a massive victory for us. Schools and workplaces should be more tolerant.
“Our rights as Muslims are always violated, we simply want to be treated the same as any other person in the UK. Fairness is all we want.” [1]
Analysis
ANALYSIS
With this report, it is obvious that a co-ordinated assault on freedom of expression and the right to privacy in relation to expressing support and solidarity for Palestine is in full swing. It is rightly calling for a re-evaluation of policies and practices that threaten the rights and freedoms granted to individuals, while emphasising the urgent need to safeguard freedom of expression and the right to privacy for all individuals.
This broad-spectrum attack is undoubtedly being orchestrated by right-wing entities, mainstream media, politicians, and lobby groups. The assault is not only challenging the right to express solidarity, it is also raising profound concerns about the erosion and ultimate erasure of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) and Article 8 (Right to Privacy) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The report has elucidated various aggressive tactics that are being used to choke Palestinian solidarity, including the removal of symbols or clothing in schools and workplaces, isolating students, imposing suspensions and exclusions, disciplining parents and students, and resorting to criminal investigations and summary terminations in workplaces.
Why do people have the right to express support and solidarity for Ukraine in its defence against the illegal Russian invasion, but that same right is denied to those who support Palestine in their resistance to occupation and genocide? Is this at all fair?
Also read
- Muslim charities need to be vocal on Palestine
- Scholars defend imams who support Palestine through du’ā
- BDS bill imperils Palestinian solidarity; chokes local area autonomy
- Islam21c marks International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
- “Solidarity is a verb”: Emma Watson backed by film industry amidst Palestine unity backlash
Source: Islam21c
Notes
