Cath McKinnell MP response to “Open letter to David Lammy requesting government’s genocide assessments in relation to Gaza”

I copied in my MP Cath McKinnell (vice-Chair Labour Friends of Israel) who replied on the 9th July 2025 (see letter below.) I await a response from David Lammy.

Dear Carol,
 
Thank you for contacting me and for raising your concerns on the proscription of Palestine Action. As you will be aware, national security is the Government’s first priority, and I agree that it is right to take a zero-tolerance approach to any threats or actions of terrorism.
 
For a group or organisation to meet the criteria for proscription, the Home Secretary must reasonably believe that it is concerned in terrorism. This means that there must be clear evidence that an organisation commits or participates in terrorism, it prepares for terrorism, it promotes or encourages terrorism, or it is otherwise concerned in terrorism. The UK’s definition of terrorism was established in law a quarter of a century ago, and proscription itself is ideologically neutral, judging an organisation on its actions and the actions it is willing to take in pursuit of its cause. It can be defined by the seriousness of the use or threat of an action, such as serious violence or serious damage to property.
 
Palestine Action has a long history of unacceptable criminal damage, including the vandalism it committed at RAF Brize Norton on Friday 20 June. Most concerningly of all, since the start of 2024, the Home Office has judged that Palestine Action’s methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence in pursuit of its goals. Ministers have confirmed that the group’s campaign of attacks that have resulted in serious damage to property has now crossed the threshold between direct criminal action and terrorism. I believe it is right that the Government takes these threats very seriously, and that it is willing to take the necessary and proportionate steps to protect the public and defend our values.
 
More widely, I share its commitment to protecting and preserving the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy.
The Government has reaffirmed that proscribing Palestine Action will not affect the right to protest. People have always been able to protest lawfully or express support for Palestine, and this will continue to be the case.
 
Like you, I am appalled by the reports coming out of Gaza, in which civilians and aid workers have been killed. That is why I continue to support the UK Government’s decision in September 2024 on arms exports to Israel. The suspension does effectively cover all arms exports for use in the current conflict in Gaza and will be kept under review. I also support the Government’s decision to suspend free trade negotiations with Israel at this time, and to sanction individuals and entities involved in settler violence and expansion. Furthermore, blocking aid and expanding the war is indefensible; it will not bring the hostages home to their loved ones and must stop.
 
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.

Kind regards,

Catherine

Catherine McKinnell MP
Member of Parliament for Newcastle North

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She was a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. Her huband and brother in law killed by the state, part of the “Haemophilia Holocaust” contaminated blood scandal.