#Palestine Action - Raise Your Hand If You Can Show Me Two Short Planks That Are Thicker.
The Unbearable Fatuousness of Being Palestine Action: A Comedy of Errors and Arrests.
Oh, what a truly magnificent spectacle of self-immolation we are currently privileged to witness, courtesy of the self-styled revolutionaries of "Palestine Action." One might charitably assume that being officially proscribed by law, effectively rendering your entire outfit "illegal," would give even the most blissfully ignorant a moment's pause. But no, dear readers, for these paragons of tactical genius, the concept of legality is merely a quaint suggestion, much like personal accountability or, indeed, common sense. Clearly, this bunch of specimens masquerading as humans were last in the queue when common sense was handed out.
Even here in Bristol, a city generally known for its vibrant and occasionally eccentric protest culture, the graffiti advertising their name persists, a testament not to their influence but to the alarming disconnect between their actions and reality. It’s as if they believe that sheer audacity, combined with a healthy dose of willful ignorance, will somehow negate the inconvenient truth of their criminal status. In a decision that would make Homer Simpson a world-leading genius, instead of regrouping under a completely different name and with more peaceful objectives (one can only hope), this bunch of numpties just carried on using the same proscribed name that had been outlawed. Genius! Changing it from 'Palestine Action' to 'Palestine Numpties' would have fitted them down to a tee!
And oh, how that truth came crashing down this past Saturday! As the BBC so helpfully reported, over 100 individuals, ostensibly "protesting the decision to proscribe Palestine Action," found themselves summarily arrested across the UK. Yes, you read that right: supporting a group that is now officially labelled under the Terrorism Act of 2000 – a designation earned, let's not forget, after they broke into an RAF base, sprayed £7 million worth of damage on military aircraft, and faced charges for conspiracy to commit criminal damage and enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. Who could have possibly foreseen such consequences for such... heroic acts?
The scenes described were nothing short of farcical. In Westminster, 55 people were arrested for the grave offence of displaying placards in support of a proscribed organisation. Imagine the sheer terror on the faces of law enforcement as they confronted individuals, some reportedly over the age of 60, one even an 80-something woman with a stick, holding signs proclaiming "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." The Met Police, in their commendable dedication to upholding the law, had to swiftly move in, leading some away and even carrying others. Truly, a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by... peaceful placard-holding.
Bristol, ever eager to join the national pantomime, saw 17 arrests on College Green under the Terrorism Act, with three more invited for a voluntary interview later – perhaps to discuss the finer points of performative activism versus actual legal repercussions. Devon and Cornwall added to the tally with eight arrests near Truro Cathedral, including an 81-year-old former magistrate. One can only hope their bail conditions include a mandatory viewing of "Law & Order" to brush up on basic legal principles. Greater Manchester Police also chimed in, holding 16 individuals for questioning on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. Edinburgh, mercifully, seemed to miss out on the live-action arrests, as their intrepid placard-holders had vanished by the time officers arrived.
This grand charade unfolds just before the High Court hearing where Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori will, with a straight face, ask for permission to challenge the ban. One can only marvel at the sheer chutzpah.
But let's not forget the recent news regarding the August 6th incident near Bristol, where a group of five numpties allegedly forced their way into an Elbit Systems UK facility, causing extensive damage and, rather inconveniently for their "peaceful activist" narrative, seriously assaulting staff and two police officers. The subsequent charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder, with the Crown Prosecution Service even suggesting a "terrorist connection," rather pulls the rug out from under the "harmless protest" narrative, doesn't it?
So, there you have it. A group so consumed by its own performative narcissism that it seems entirely incapable of grasping the simple concept of cause and effect. Their actions, far from advancing any meaningful cause, have only succeeded in making themselves and their deluded followers into a national punchline, ensuring that their "downfall" is not merely theoretical, but a legally enshrined, arrest-laden reality. One can only hope they at least remembered to pack their adult nappies for their stint in custody.