Key Takeaways
- Greta Thunberg was arrested in London for participating in a protest and displaying a sign expressing support for Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers.
- The protest targeted Aspen Insurance, which provides services to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of an Israeli weapons maker.
- Eight prisoners have been on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged offenses relating to Palestine Action, with two of them now on their 52nd day and at a critical stage for their health.
- The hunger strikers’ demands include immediate bail, an end to the ban on Palestine Action, and stopping restrictions on their communications.
- The British government has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with campaigners arguing that it has failed to comply with its own policies on hunger strikes.
Introduction to the Protest
Greta Thunberg, the renowned Swedish activist, was arrested in London after taking part in a protest outside the offices of Aspen Insurance, a global specialty insurer and reinsurer. The protest was organized in support of Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers, who have been on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged offenses relating to Palestine Action. Thunberg arrived at the scene after the protest had begun and sat down with a sign that read, "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide." Her arrest was met with criticism from campaigners, who questioned why she was arrested under counter-terrorism legislation for displaying a sign with a message that was deemed to be in support of a proscribed organization.
The Protest and Arrests
The protest began early in the morning, with two activists using repurposed fire extinguishers to cover the front of the Aspen Insurance building with red paint. They then locked themselves to the building, prompting a response from the City of London police. A spokesperson for the police said that hammers and red paint were used to damage the building, and two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. Thunberg was arrested later, after arriving at the scene and displaying her sign. The police stated that she was arrested for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organization, contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The arrest of Thunberg and the other activists has sparked controversy, with many arguing that the police response was heavy-handed and that the charges against them are unjustified.
The Hunger Strikers’ Demands
The hunger strikers, who have been on strike for several weeks, are demanding that the British government meet their demands, which include immediate bail, an end to the ban on Palestine Action, and stopping restrictions on their communications. The strikers argue that they are being unfairly targeted and that their rights are being violated. The situation has become increasingly dire, with two of the strikers now on their 52nd day and at a critical stage for their health. The families and supporters of the hunger strikers have pleaded with David Lammy, the justice secretary, to meet with them in an attempt to end the impasse. Lawyers for the hunger strikers have also sent a legal letter claiming that Lammy’s refusal to meet with them constitutes a failure to comply with the Ministry of Justice’s policy on the handling of hunger strikes.
The Targeting of Aspen Insurance
The protest targeted Aspen Insurance because it provides services to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of an Israeli weapons maker. The campaign group Prisoners for Palestine argued that Aspen’s involvement with Elbit Systems UK makes it complicit in the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine. The group has also targeted other insurance companies that have provided services to Elbit Systems UK, including Allianz and Aviva. Both companies have since ended their insurance contracts with Elbit Systems UK, citing concerns about the company’s activities. The targeting of Aspen Insurance is part of a broader campaign to pressure companies to divest from Israeli companies involved in the occupation of Palestine.
The Response of the British Government
The British government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with many arguing that it has failed to comply with its own policies on hunger strikes. The government has been accused of ignoring the demands of the hunger strikers and failing to take action to address the underlying issues that led to the protest. The arrest of Thunberg and the other activists has also sparked criticism, with many arguing that the police response was disproportionate and that the charges against them are unjustified. The situation has highlighted the need for the British government to re-examine its policies on hunger strikes and to take a more nuanced approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conclusion
The arrest of Greta Thunberg and the other activists has brought attention to the ongoing protest and the demands of the hunger strikers. The situation has highlighted the need for the British government to take a more nuanced approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The targeting of Aspen Insurance and other companies involved in the occupation of Palestine is part of a broader campaign to pressure companies to divest from Israeli companies involved in the occupation. The situation remains critical, with the hunger strikers’ health at risk and the British government facing criticism for its handling of the situation. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the British government will respond to the demands of the hunger strikers and the broader campaign to end the occupation of Palestine.
