OPINION: PSC’s immediate reaction to mass murder? Rally against the victims
Perhaps it’s time for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to be a little more open about exactly what it truly believes
I don’t believe there is a single Jewish person reading this article who does not remember exactly how they felt on 7 October 2023, as news began to filter through from southern Israel.
The horror. The numb despair. The anguish, as images and footage began to emerge. It was both Shabbat and Yom Tov, but I know there were many people who keep Shabbat who broke it that day, as news of the massacres perpetrated by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad came to light.
It turns out, however, that there were others whose reaction appears to have been rather different. In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Metropolitan Police have now revealed the following: “The MPS were contacted on Saturday 7 October at approximately 1250hrs via telephone call and informed of the intention to protest… The MPS were advised of the march by an organiser on behalf of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign group.”
It would be wrong to use the phrase “the bodies weren’t even cold yet”. It would be wrong because the Hamas incursion of southern Israel was very much ongoing at this time. More people would subsequently die.
There is something diabolical about hearing that Palestinian terrorist groups are in the process of carrying out mass murder and your first reaction – even as the massacre is unfolding – is to begin planning a mass pro-Palestinian demonstration on the streets of London.
But in reality, we should not be surprised. Apparently the PSC felt that having to wait a week for a mass demonstration – which began outside the BBC, by the way, for all its more recent whining about being unable to march there – was too long. Because approximately an hour after its phone call to the police on 7 October, the PSC’s social media announced an “Emergency Demo: Stand with Palestine”, to be held two days later outside the Israeli embassy. “Join us on Monday when we take to the streets to demand Israel end its violent imposition of occupation, apartheid and colonisation over the Palestinian people”, the tweet said – even as Hamas was continuing to carry out the biggest mass-slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.
The thought process that could lead to that behaviour becomes clear when you read the statement the PSC issued on 9 October. It was an absolute classic of the genre – appearing to condemn an act while constructing sentences which could, at least to the mind of their supporters, explain it.
“International law must be the framework within which we judge acts of violence and their legitimacy”, it said. “International law makes it clear that the deliberate killing of civilians, hostage-taking and collective punishment are war crimes. International law also enshrines the right of a people to resist oppression and military occupation”.
“The facade has crumbled.”
Richard Ferrer, editor of Jewish News, reports on the backlash faced by pro-Palestinian activists after it was revealed they were planning a London march as the events of Oct 7 unfurled.@iancollinsuk pic.twitter.com/oUHbj7zQcf
— Talk (@TalkTV) February 7, 2025
Confused? Don’t worry, the statement immediately carried on to say that “An offensive launched from Gaza can only be understood in the context of Israel’s ongoing military occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land”, followed by 11 further paragraphs focusing on Israel’s iniquities. This statement, 958 words in length, somehow had no room for the word “Hamas”.
Most of the major trade unions in this country are affiliated to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. When Lord Walney suggested last year, in connection with his independent review of political violence and disruption, that such affiliations should cease, the response was swift and emphatic.
In a joint statement, unions including the NEU, UCU, PCS, RMT and CWU declared that “the promotion of human rights and democratic participation are core principles of our trade unions, and we are proud of the work that PSC does to advance these values”.
Perhaps these unions might like to explain to the wider Jewish community what work the PSC did to “advance these values” on 7 October 2023. And perhaps it’s time for the PSC to start being a little more honest about exactly what they truly believe.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
