23rd June 2025

We sent the email below to Hackney MPs Meg Hillier and Diane Abbott

We write in haste, because we understand the Home Secretary intends to raise the issue of proscribing Palestine Action today in the House, and we want to echo the views of many of your constituents, so you are fully cognisant of the level of opposition in Hackney to this move. 

Without going into great detail, which you won’t have time to read, the argument is simple.  The definition of terrorism should never be extended to harming property, when there is no violence or threat of violence against people.  To go down this route is to take a significant step in the direction of authoritarian rule.  Terrorism is, for good reason, an extreme charge to level against anyone and the consequences of extending it to cover the actions taken by Palestine Action last week will be severe.  Where will the line be drawn in future, when demonstrators impact on state property?  Hackney has a long and proud history of protest, and has often been at the forefront of significant political and social change.  Your residents do not want to see those taking the route of non-violent direct action, being labeled terrorists.

We would suggest that the idea of proscribing Palestine Action has been taken in haste, and is motivated by the embarrassment of this relatively easy breach of security at an MoD airbase.  Surely a better course of action would be to recognise the security breach and ensure the base gets a level of protection it clearly needs?

We very much hope you will oppose any move to proscribe Palestine Action today.

Yours, 

Cllr Penny Wrout

Cllr Claudia Turbet- Delof

Cllr Fliss Premru