DEFEND GAZA AND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST

Sixty-eight communist parties across the world have demanded an immediate halt to Israel's 'brutal military offensive, inhuman blockade and barbarous genocide' in the Gaza Strip, Kevan Nelson told the Communist Party of Britain's political committee on Monday evening.

He was reporting after he and Carol Stavris represented the CPB at the 23rd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties in Izmir, Turkey, in late October.

Delegates there unanimously adopted a statement calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, the dismantling of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the right of return for Palestinian refugees in accordance with UN resolution 194.

The 121 representatives also condemned US, NATO and EU support for the Israeli offensive carried out after the Hamas attack on civilian and military targets in Israel on October 7.

Turning to events in Britain, Mr Nelson praised the extent and content of the demonstrations in many towns and cities in solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

'They are nothing like the "hate marches" denounced by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, although it must be conceded that her anti-immigrant and anti-refugee words and actions make her an expert when it comes to stirring up hatred', he remarked.

The CP political committee urged trade unions, political parties and campaigning organisations to oppose any further restrictions on the right to demonstrate in Britain.

'The Palestine solidarity protests of recent weeks have been large, peaceful and without any support for antisemitism or terrorism', the CP international secretary pointed out, 'and the best response to Tory government and police threats is to make the demonstration in London on November 11 the biggest yet', Mr Nelson declared.