Internal government documents show Home Office ministers and staff tried to influence police and prosecutors to crack down on activists targeting British factories of Israeli arms manufacturers, campaigners say. they claim.
A briefing memo obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Action for Palestine details government meetings that preceded the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s response in Gaza, and provides details of government meetings that preceded the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s response in Gaza, as well as a report by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit. It was aimed at “reassuring” Systems UK. Eligible for direct action campaign by campaign group.
Prosecutions by Palestinian activists who say they are trying to protect Palestinian lives and stop war crimes have resulted in convictions for crimes such as robbery and criminal damage, even though the defendants have admitted to committing the acts. There have also been acquittals by juries and judges.
The meeting with Elbit Systems representatives was attended by Home Office ministers, and heavily redacted notes from the meeting also included the head of the Attorney General’s Office, who is believed to be representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It is shown that he was present. It also shows that Interior Ministry officials contacted police about Palestinian actions.
Defend Our Juries coordinator Tim Crosland says a jury’s absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience is being eroded by judges who limit what defendants can say about their motives. said the following: The government is trying to block a jury’s decision to acquit those who resist and expose corporate complicity in violations of international law and mass loss of life.
“Such political interference is a national scandal that culminates in the corruption of democracy and the rule of law by the rich and powerful.”
A private secretary memo from a meeting between then Home Secretary Priti Patel and Elbit Systems UK chief executive Martin Fawcett, dated 2 March 2022, states: Although we are independent from the government and cannot dictate the government’s response, my officials have been in touch with the police about the PA. ”
A summary memo of a meeting between then Home Secretary Chris Phillip and Mr Elbitt, dated April 19 last year, states: CPS declined to participate in the meeting in order to maintain its operational independence. ”
The content of the section entitled “Past Lobbying” has been redacted.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said the declaration of independence was contradicted within the same text in which it was made.
“What is happening behind closed doors shows clear evidence of collusion between the government, foreign private arms manufacturers, the CPS, the Attorney General’s Office and the police,” they said. “This clear abuse of power shows how the state prioritizes the interests of Elbit Systems over the rights and freedoms of its own citizens.”
Documents previously revealed through a FoI request suggested that Israeli embassy officials in London tried to get the Attorney General’s Office to intervene in a British court case related to the prosecution of protesters.
Britain earlier this month suspended 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel due to “clear risks” that they could be used to commit or further serious breaches of international humanitarian law. Pro-Palestinian groups said the measure did not go far enough, but Israeli supporters denounced it as unjust.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We fully respect the operational independence of the police and an independent judiciary, which remains the bedrock of our policing model. These meetings took place under the previous government.”
Mr Philip, Mr Patel and Britain’s Elbit Systems Ltd all responded to requests for comment. At the time of publication, Elbit was the only company to respond saying they were proud to be a supplier to the British military.
