Richard Barnard, co-founder of Palestine Action, faced legal proceedings on September 18, 2024, at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The activist, known for his involvement in environmental group Extinction Rebellion, stood accused of encouraging criminal damage and expressing support for Hamas during pro-Palestinian rallies held in October 2023.
Barnard, aged 51, appeared in court wearing a traditional keffiyeh scarf, with numerous supporters gathered outside. The charges stem from speeches he allegedly delivered in Manchester and Bradford following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Prosecutor Tom Williams detailed the allegations, stating that Barnard addressed crowds of 200-250 people, advocating for direct action against Israeli-owned companies in the UK. The court heard that Barnard allegedly urged activists to "smash Israeli weapons factories" and suggested that conventional forms of protest were insufficient.
Palestine Action, co-founded by Barnard and Huda Ammori in 2020, targets Israeli-owned businesses operating in the United Kingdom, including Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer. This focus aligns with the organization's stated mission of opposing Israeli military operations.
The charges against Barnard include:
1. Encouraging criminal damage on October 8, 2023, in Manchester
2. Expressing support for Hamas, a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act 2000
3. Encouraging criminal damage on October 11, 2023, in Bradford
During the Bradford speech, Barnard allegedly referenced Palestine Action's efforts to "blockade" Elbit Systems and mentioned the Teledyne factory in Shipley, which produces components for missile systems.
District Judge Neeta Minhas granted Barnard unconditional bail, scheduling a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey for October 4, 2024. This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its reverberations in international activism.
The situation reflects the complex history of the region, including significant events such as the founding of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964, the first Intifada in 1987, and the Oslo Accords of 1993. More recently, the United Nations recognized Palestine as a non-member observer state in 2012, underscoring the evolving nature of the conflict and its global implications.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this case may have broader implications for freedom of speech, protest rights, and the boundaries of political activism in the United Kingdom.