"The police claimed that my use of the word intifada was a racially and religiously aggravated offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. Not true. My placard did not mention anyone's race or religion. Many Jewish & Israeli people also non-violently oppose Netanyahu & his mass killing of Palestinian civilians."
"My arrest was an attack on free speech. The police claim the word intifada is unlawful. But it is not a crime in law. The police are interpreting public order legislation in ways never intended by parliament."
"The Arab word intifada means uprising, rebellion or resistance against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. It does not mean violence and is not antisemitic."
"By 'non-violent resistance' I was advocating boycott, sanction and divestment - the same tactics that helped bring down the apartheid regime in South Africa."
Peter Tatchell was arrested at a pro-Palestine protest for carrying a placard that read 'Globalise the intifada. Non-violent resistance. End Israel's occupation of Gaza & West Bank.' He was initially bailed with conditions not to attend further protests, but these conditions were later deemed unreasonable. Tatchell criticized the police's interpretation of the term 'intifada' as a racially aggravated offense, asserting it undermines free speech and the right to protest. He emphasized that 'intifada' signifies non-violent resistance against occupation, not violence or antisemitism.
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