In a rare public dissent, former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock has openly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Speaking exclusively to Middle East Eye, Kinnock argued that the move has weakened Britain’s anti-terror laws by conflating activism with terrorism. Palestine Action, a group advocating for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, was proscribed on July 4 after its activists vandalized RAF Brize Norton air base. The designation places the group alongside notorious organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS, making support for it punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Kinnock, who abstained from voting on the proscription in the House of Lords, emphasized that protesting against the dire situation in Gaza does not equate to terrorism. He also expressed concern over the mass arrests of nearly 900 demonstrators in London, including elderly individuals and Holocaust survivors’ relatives, on terrorism charges. The Labour government, however, has defended its decision, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praising the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the protests. The controversy has exposed a significant divide within Labour ranks, with only 10 MPs voting against the proscription in the House of Commons. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with over 64,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023 and famine declared by the UN-backed global hunger monitor. While Kinnock acknowledged Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, he refrained from labeling the conflict as genocide, citing the need for legal proof. The ongoing war has drawn international condemnation, with Israel facing charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Despite Hamas’s acceptance of a US-backed ceasefire proposal, Israel’s recent failed airstrike on Doha has further complicated efforts to end the conflict. Kinnock commended Israeli protesters for their courage in opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Exclusive: Neil Kinnock says Palestine Action are not terrorists in split with Starmer
