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The Belfast riots and Palestine Action protests raise critical questions about how terrorism is defined and applied in the UK. George Monbiot argues that there is a clear hypocrisy in the government's approach, with far-right violence treated leniently while left-wing dissent faces severe crackdowns.
What is Terrorism Now?
Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, described the Belfast riots as "racist thuggery," but Monbiot points out that the violence clearly meets the government's definition of terrorism: actions designed to intimidate the public for political, racial, or ideological causes. Yet, no one in Belfast has been charged with terrorism, while over 3,000 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action.
The Hypocrisy of Two-Tier Justice
The term "two-tier policing" is often used by the right, but Monbiot argues that the real two-tier system targets progressives. Far-right rioters are given TV airtime, while left-wing protesters face terrorism charges for spray-painting warplanes or blocking arms factories. The court of appeal's decision to uphold the ban on Palestine Action highlights this inequality.
Monbiot criticizes the Sentencing Act 2020, which allows judges to sentence protesters as terrorists even if they were not charged or convicted as such. This undermines the principle of justice, where conscientious motivation was once a mitigating factor but is now an aggravating one.
Palestine Action and the Law
Four Palestine Action protesters who broke into an Elbit factory were sentenced as terrorists, despite not being charged with terrorism. The judge also sought contempt proceedings against their barrister for arguing that the jury had the right to acquit. Monbiot contrasts this with the Belfast rioters, who intended to hurt police officers but face no terrorism charges.
The Broader Implications
The government's definition of terrorism is dangerously broad, and its application is unequal. Monbiot concludes that this is not a Labour government but a rightwing authoritarian one, where two-tier justice is real but always favors rightwing white men.
