Peter Reynolds

In my 68 years, I have never been so ashamed of my country. The decision to proscribe a group supporting the Palestinian cause and to deem it as a terrorist organisation because it has carried out action directly analogous with the behaviour of the Suffragettes, the protestors against the illegal Iraq war and South African apartheid is beyond absurd.

Yes, all these protestors committed criminal offences by damaging property but to decide in 2025 that this puts them in the same category as the 7/7, Manchester Arena bombers or the murderers of PC Keith Palmer is ridiculous. It is more than absurd or ridiculous, it is unjust and, should be unlawful. Certainly the protestors should be tried for criminal damage or whatever crimes are appropriate. The power of their protest is in their readiness to accept punishment for such crimes. If, however, the High Court refuses to halt the outrage of deeming them as terrorists then the rule of law has been subverted by a totalitarian government.

Starmer and his cabinet are already proven to be corrupted by huge amounts of Israeli money and hundreds of MPs on all sides of Parliament are sponsored by the Israeli lobby. Britain’s record in standing up to Israel’s crimes is dreadful but the conduct of Israel since the Hamas atrocity of 7th October 2023 has involved hundreds of war crimes and has now, without doubt, become genocide, the most serious crime of all. The previous Conservative government, led by Rishi Sunak, was bad enough but Starmer is far worse, as Israel’s crimes have become more and more outrageous. Sunak, Starmer and many of their ministers and MPs are fully complicit in these war crimes and justice dictates that some of them should face trial on these issues. As I understand it, war crimes are not covered by Crown Indemnity.

In my view there has not been a more serious juncture in our history since we stood alone against the Nazis in 1940. Israel’s conduct today is of the same nature and Britain’s part in it is a national disgrace. Wherever we go from here, even if the High Court does rein in this latest, disgusting episode, there are senior British politicians who must face trial.