Rights group finds six-year pattern of 'anti-Palestinian repression' across UK
A legal rights organization has documented a “systematic effort” to suppress pro-Palestine solidarity movements in Britain, recording nearly 1,000 incidents over the past six years that reveal an entrenched pattern of “anti-Palestinian repression.”
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) said it verified 964 cases between 2019 and August 2025 involving arrests, workplace sanctions, visa revocations, university investigations and event cancellations linked to expressions of solidarity with Palestinians.
Working with researchers from Forensic Architecture, the group published the cases in an “Index of Repression,” a public database intended to map patterns across institutions, including universities, employers, cultural venues and government bodies.
According to the ELSC, the incidents reflect coordinated pressure aimed at framing Palestine advocacy as a security concern rather than a legitimate political position. The organization argues that the impact stretches from campuses to workplaces, creating a chilling effect on public expression.
Among the cases highlighted is a student at the University of Warwick who was arrested after displaying a protest sign during a campus rally in late 2023.
The database also references the visa revocation of a student at the University of Manchester following comments made to Sky News about Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. The decision was overturned on appeal in 2024.
The ELSC report further notes the involvement of advocacy groups such as UK Lawyers for Israel in filing complaints in multiple cases.
The findings emerge at a moment when pro-Palestine demonstrations have been drawing large crowds across the UK, amid Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza that began in October 2023.
The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has faced growing scrutiny over its response to pro-Palestine protests, including mass arrests at demonstrations and crackdown on direct-action groups.
Among them is Palestine Action, which the UK government designated a “terrorist organization” in 2025.
Since the ban, hundreds of people across the UK have been arrested for protesting the decision, many holding placards reading, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
The group has campaigned against Elbit Systems UK, targeting the company over its role in supplying weapons to the Israeli military during the Gaza genocide.
Freedom of speech, right to protest under assault in UK
The erasure of Palestinian cultural legacy by the British Museum
British High Court vindicates Palestine Action
Iran’s president sees 'good outlook' for nuclear talks with US
Peter Mandelson suspected of misconduct in public office as UK envoy to US
Iran's foreign minister leaves for Geneva for third round of US talks
Iran dismantles foreign-backed terror network in Southeast
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
US imposes more sanctions on Iran ahead of new round of talks
UK engaged in 'systematic' suppression of pro-Palestine voices: Report
Hundreds of Greeks protest US warship arrival in Crete
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
