Glastonbury promotes and hosts Palestine Action activist awaiting trial
Charged with smashing up a branch of Barclays Bank, Francesca Nadin's talk was advertised on the official festival app
Glastonbury is at the centre of a new anti-Israel storm today after an activist from the soon to be proscribed group Palestine Action was platformed onstage.
Francesca Nadin, 38, awaiting trial on criminal damage charges for allegedly smashing a Barclays Bank, was loudly cheered by festival goers as she vowed: “We got to these factories and we smash them up.” She added: “Last year I was watching Glasto on TV in a prison cell. Now, I’m here in real life. We’re doing actions every week … we will keep going until they are all gone.”
Nadin, remanded in prison for months ahead of a trial next January, appeared on stage on Thursday night.
She is set to make a second appearance on Saturday at the Speaker’s Corner stage at an event titled, “Palestine: Modes of Resistance”.
Despite the government’s pledge last week to proscribe Palestine Action over multiple violent actions, including a break-in at RAF Brize Norton, Nadin’s appearance was promoted on the official festival app.
Her appearance at 1pm is due to come just hours before anti-Israel rap act Kneecap made their controversial appearance on stage at the festival.
The Irish rap group is to perform at 4pm on the West Holts stage, amid criticism from music industry executives and from the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer.
One of the trio, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is on bail charged with a terrorism offence after allegedly displaying a flag representing Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, at a gig in November last year.
Norton was first arrested for her alleged involvement in incident in Bradford in May 2023 protesting against the creation of Israel.
She was then arrested again, 10 days later, in relation to a paint attack in Leeds city centre.
She was remanded in custody for nine months before being released on bail ahead of the trial of the so-called ‘Barclays 7’ next January.
Palestinian flags were openly displayed by festival goers and even on top of one of the dance stages inside the Worthy Farm site.
Graffiti on the outside of one of the toilets read, “Join Pal Action”.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
