SPSC statement, 12 August 2024
The fascist thugs fire-bombing refugees, threatening communities and murder of asylum seekers and ‘foreigners’ are inspired by Israeli genocide and the ethno-supremacist state model it embodies. They are a threat to all of us who stand for freedom, equality and justice for Palestinians and against Israeli settler colonialism, apartheid and genocide.
We call on you to join SPSC and thousands more to demonstrate our unified opposition to the ideology and vile Islamophobia of the fascists on 7 September, 11am, at George Square, Glasgow.
Bring Palestinian flags and hold our placards on the day to show that our stand against the fascists here at home is an integral part of our solidarity with the Palestinian struggle against the violence and brutality of the racist state of Israel, and of the genocidal fascists that run that state and that maraud the land of Palestine.
A note on Stand Up to Racism (SUTR)
SPSC members and supporters have raised with us their disgust and anger at SUTR’s continued refusal to acknowledge the struggle of the Palestinian people against the racist state of Israel, anti-Palestinian racism and the ongoing genocide. For over six years we have asked SUTR to make a statement making clear that organisations whose purpose is to defend the apartheid state while making racist attacks against Palestinians are not welcome on SUTR marches and events.
Despite SUTR’s evasive response, in fact all we are asking for is a statement.
Until today SUTR have refused to take this principled stand that would help to challenge the claim by Israel and the racist Zionist movement that they represent Jewish communities everywhere. Such a challenge is essential if we are serious about actively opposing antisemitism. Instead, their leading organisers attack and smear those concerned with what amounts to the normalisation of anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia, and the weaponisation of antisemitism within the anti-racism movement. Most recently, a video circulating on social media shows SUTR organisers attempting to silence a Palestinian woman who makes the link between racism and fascism here at home with the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Israel is a state that enjoys the admiration of far-right groups and governments around the world for the model of society that they organise and enforce. Israel, as has been even more visible over the last ten months, share the same values as the far-right – that of ethno-supremacy, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide of the other. Their role in making alliances with, arming and training such regimes and militias are well documented.
The reality is that the role of Israel in the far-right movement globally is a key issue for the anti-racism movement everywhere, especially in countries such as the UK that continue to support Israel and whose government contribute to the growth of the far-right through their racism, colonialism and scapegoating of our communities.
Over the last ten months, people of conscience have turned out to massive demonstrations, and they have joined SPSC and other groups to organise and mobilise others who want to change the balance of power from the grassroots. The level of solidarity and understanding of the situation of the Palestinians and of the complicity of our governments, institutions and corporations is unprecedented. These people are not to be patronised and they understand that if we refuse to directly challenge the state of Israel and the Zionist movement, Palestinian children, men and women pay with their lives.
To stand unequivocally with the Palestinian people is to take a principled stand against racism, fascism and the far right.
SUTR remain afraid to stand with Palestinian victims of colonialism, and of racist and fascist brutality and violence, and to oppose the complicity of our governments in these crimes. While this remains the case, we call on all our supporters and members to join anti-racism demonstrations and help us to reach out to participants, to educate and work together to build a strong and resilient movement.
*Refugees have a right to asylum
*Palestinians have the right to return
Previous articles and statements on SUTR
