What an astonishing weekend of direct action for Palestine

Saturday 8 March saw two of the most audacious pieces of direct action for Palestine this year so far. In displays of solidarity – as well as calling out those complicit with Israel’s genocide in Gaza – activists took to two locations to make their message loud and clear.

Donald Trump: fuck off out of Scotland

First, direct action group Palestine Action struck overnight on 8 March to wreck the ‘Trump Turnberry’ golf course, in response to the US administration’s plans and threats to destroy, ethnically cleanse, and ‘take over’ the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

After entering the 800-acre resort, activists painted in three-metre-high letters, “GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE” across the lawn of the South Ayrshire course:

Making the popular opposition to Donald Trump’s intentions clear, activists spray painted the gates:

They also, perhaps most brilliantly, dug up the greens including the course’s most prestigious holes – used in numerous Open Championships:

Oh, and Palestine Action also redecorated the club house:

Last night’s action comes as a direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Having laid out his plans to “clean out the whole thing” and forcibly displace its population, the US president last week published an AI video advertising his plans for the Strip, which included himself and the genocidaire Netanyahu, shirtless, drinking at the ‘Trump Gaza’ resort.

The proposed ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population would constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. And while Trump threatens to kill all of Gaza’s two million population – “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do​​​​​​​, you are DEAD” – his administration is, simultaneously, preparing its plans for Israeli annexation of the Palestinian West Bank.

Palestine Action: Trump’s property is not safe

A spokesperson from Palestine Action said:

Palestine Action rejects Donald Trump’s treatment of Gaza as though it were his property to dispose of as he likes. To make that clear, we have shown him that his own property is not safe from acts of resistance. We will continue to take action against US-Israeli colonialism in the Palestinian homeland.

The action comes shortly after the Trump administration signed off on the shipment of 40,000 bombs to Israel, including thousands of the bunker-buster bombs of the type which have been used to “vaporise” dozens of Palestinians in single attacks.

Trump’s previous term saw him draw ever-closer links with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons company and Palestine Action’s primary target, relying on them heavily for maintaining his militarised US-Mexico border wall. As a final favour to his partners, one of the last acts of his first term was ensuring that Elbit Systems of America was able to complete a legally-dubious takeover of a naval technology firm.

Then, shortly after the world woke up to the trashing of Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course by Palestine Action, a lone Palestine protestor climbed up the British Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, atop which sits Big Ben.

What a legend – aloft Big Ben

While filming his solo action, the protestor ascended to a high ledge, and unfurled his Palestine flag and keffiyeh. He has remained atop his lofty perch, barefoot, shouting to the gathering crowds below, and posting to social media.

The protestor articulately called for the freedom of political prisoners and condemned the use of counter-terrorism powers against Palestine Action. He loudly voiced support for the Filton 18, Palestine Action activists who were arrested in relation to an action which cost Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems millions in damages.

While six activists were arrested at the scene of the action, the other 12 were arrested later, in raids by counter-terrorism police, and held and interrogated using special powers. Whilst charged with ordinary offences, they are still accused of having a “terrorism connection”, and are remanded to prison. If they do not get bail, some may be detained for two years before trial.

“While they’ve got our political prisoners locked-up, I’m staying up here” the climber said, while a crowd of fellow Palestine supporters gathered beyond the police cordon to shout words of encouragement and support. He added later:

Stop the weaponisation of terrorism legislation against Palestine Action activists… Free the Filton 18.

The Filton 18 case has garnered widespread condemnation of the state’s use of the terrorism legislation, including from four UN special rapporteurs.

We will continue to take direct action for Palestine

A spokesperson for Palestine Action said:

We applaud the activist for taking solidarity action, and highlighting the state’s abuse of power against political dissidents.

We live in extraordinary times, where war criminals roam free, while anti-war protestors are arrested for invented crimes, and anti-Genocide activists spend long periods detained without trial. As our brave comrade has stated, ‘This is the start of fascism’.

Sadly, the marches and peaceful protests have gone ignored, the bombs keep falling, and Palestinians keep dying, killed by British-manufactured weapons, and with the complicity of British politicians.

Whatever the level of police state repression, we will continue to use direct action, and escalate our campaign to rid Britain of Israeli arms manufacturers. We salute our brave comrade on the Elizabeth Tower, and all those activists fighting to stop the genocide in Palestine. Free the Filton 18.

Featured image via the Canary, additional images via Milo Chandler, and video via Hassan Ghani