Last week had started well for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Keir Starmer had finally backed calls for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the Prince of Wales had raised his concerns about the appalling loss of life in Gaza.
But last Saturday, as more than 200 people gathered at Conway Hall in London for the campaign’s annual general meeting, optimism that the Middle East debate might be turning the PSC’s way had been superseded by puzzlement – and some anger.
“It’s not extremist to be against the war,” said Fiona Goldie, an activist from Carlisle in Cumbria. “It’s the norm to want peace.”
She was referring to suggestions that pro-Palestinian activists like her had been in some way responsible for the chaotic scenes inside the House of Commons on Wednesday and Thursday last week, during a debate on the Middle East conflict.
For months MPs have reported feeling intimidated by pro-Palestinian activists in their constituencies and online. The murder in October 2021
