Home Secretary Suella Braverman has written to the police saying waving a Palestinian flag or singing a chant advocating freedom for Palestine may be seen as a criminal offence.

Friends of Al-Aqsa condemns Braverman’s suggestion that flying Palestinians flags or chanting ‘Free Free Palestine’ is a criminal act.

Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa said, “it is draconian for the British government to deny our right to express the plight of the Palestinians. Legitimate political expression should not be a privilege, nor the reserve of those allied with the government; it is a fundamental right for all citizens in a democratic society”.

He added, “I was at the forefront of organising and demonstrating against the British government’s war against Afghanistan and Iraq. We were never obstructed from voicing our opinions like this. So why is this government giving cover to Israeli policies by denying British citizens their right to political expression?The right to champion the plight of the occupied, discriminated against and marginalised is integral to democracy. The British government’s steps will prevent British citizens from helping to end human rights violations, which will disenfranchise people from political activism.”

The Home Secretary’s veiled threat and denial of political expression is unacceptable. Friends of Al-Aqsa asks all just people to join the protest in London on Saturday with Palestinian flags held high. Let’s call for an end to Israeli occupation and a free Palestine.