Paul Weller sues former accountants who dropped him over ‘Israeli genocide’ claims - The Jewish Chronicle

Paul Weller is suing his former accountants for alleged discrimination after they ended their professional relationship over his stance on Israel.

The former Jam frontman, 67, had been a client of Harris & Trotter for over 30 years, but was reportedly told in March that they would no longer be working with him or his companies.

According to a pre-action letter filed by his lawyers, Weller was sent a message by one of the accounting firm’s senior partners, stating: “It’s well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide.

“Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views.”

Since Hamas’ attack on October 7 and the ensuing war, Weller has been increasingly vocal in his support for the Palestinians and in his condemnation of Israel.

As well as performing on stage with a Palestinian flag, in November last year he dedicated his song My Ever Changing Moods to the people of Gaza, “who have undergone slaughter and genocide”.

In May, he was one of 40 artists to sign an open letter backing the Irish rap trio Kneecap, saying they were being subjected to a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” them. Later that month, he marked his 67^th birthday with a social media post saying, “Stop the Israeli genocide. Free Palestine!”.

Paul Weller marked his 67th birthday with a post on X about Palestine (Image: Paul Weller/ X)[Missing Credit]

Weller’s lawyers claim that by withdrawing their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer’s protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a state.

Commenting on the case, Weller – who according to the legal letter will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza – said: "I've always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe.

"I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out.

"Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity.

"I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people."

Cormac McDonough of Hodge Jones & Allen, the law firm representing Weller, said the case reflected “a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights”.

He added: “Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza.”

When contacted by phone, Harris & Trotter said it would not comment.

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Anti-Zionism