A grassroots pro-Palestinian charity in the UK, Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP), has had its bank account frozen after being told it was linked to an investigation into Palestine Action, despite having no affiliation with the banned direct action group.
GMFP, which organises peaceful protests, vigils, and humanitarian fundraising, lost access to its funds indefinitely after Virgin Money froze the account following the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act.
Although the bank initially refused to explain the decision, a letter from Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor, Kate Green, stated that police had indicated the freeze was connected to an investigation into Palestine Action.
GMFP’s treasurer, John Nicholson, stressed that the organisation’s funds are used solely to support humanitarian causes in Gaza and the West Bank and that there have been no financial or organisational links to Palestine Action.
Nicholson criticised the situation as an abuse of the ban’s implications, arguing that lawful support for Palestine is being unfairly conflated with support for a proscribed group.
In addition to GMFP’s account, Nicholson and the group’s chair, Norma Turner, also had their joint personal account closed by another bank without explanation.
Similar actions have affected the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, whose bank account was frozen amid concerns over past online donation links to Palestine Action, despite the group’s peaceful activism. Campaigners say these freezes have created widespread fear and uncertainty among pro-Palestinian organisations, raising serious concerns about overreach by banks and law enforcement agencies.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/GMF.Palestine/?locale=en_GB
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