Several of the companies listing Palestine Action items on eBay and Etsy have been removed from sale following the JC’s enquiries.
The tops are available in multiple colours (Etsy)[Missing Credit]
The revelations come after a Cambridge University academic was criticised by a Jewish student group for wearing a T-shirt like those for sale on the online platforms.
Belinda Bell joined around 150 protesters who brought traffic in the city to a standstill last month while wearing a black T-shirt declaring “We are all Palestine Action”.
Bell, who is part of the university’s department of land economy and formerly chair of transgender charity Mermaids, was among more than 400 university staff who last year signed an open letter supporting Gaza protesters who set up encampments on college grounds. StandWithUs, a UK-registered charity that supports Jewish university students, said it was “shocking” that a Cambridge academic was seen in a Palestine Action top, making “a mockery of the government’s ruling”.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton, causing £7 million of damage. The ban makes membership or support for the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Since then, more than 2,100 people have been arrested in connection with protests linked to the group, including 162 in a single day in August for wearing clothing or carrying items that could arouse “reasonable suspicion” of membership or support of a proscribed organisation.
Under section 13 of terrorism legislation, it is a criminal offence to “wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.” Manufacturing or selling such items is covered in section 12. The JC found dozens of examples of retailers continuing to sell pro-Palestine Action merchandise even after the ban came into force. While some companies removed the listings, many others have continued undeterred.
A fabric patch bearing Hamas insignia was listed on eBay for £16.42 (eBay)[Missing Credit]
Former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis warned the online retailers could be violating UK law as the sellers of the merchandise and urged them to act immediately.
“Etsy and eBay should have robust systems in place to ensure they are not in breach of UK anti-terrorism legislation,” Ellis told the JC.
“These companies have a responsibility to ensure merchandise supporting Palestine Action does not appear on their sites.
“Palestine Action was rightly proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist organisation and Etsy and eBay should now face consequences.”
A keyring listed on Etsy as a "legal fundraiser" for activists in court over direct action (Etsy)[Missing Credit]
Etsy, an e-commerce platform focused on handmade or vintage goods, bans “items that promote or support terrorism or terrorist organisations”.
EBay’s policy declares: “Listings that imply or promote support of, membership in, or funding of a terrorist organisation” are not allowed on the site.
Another Etsy retailer sold a keyring that reads “Palestine Action” on one side and “death death to the IOF” [Israel Occupation Forces] on the other.
As well as items in support of Palestine Action, JC also found a Hamas air cavalry patch on eBay.
An eBay spokesperson said: “These items are prohibited on our platform. We are removing the reported listings and are in the process of removing other listings offering such items.”
Etsy was approached for comment.
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