Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

A new report details a concerning trend of escalating repression targeting individuals and groups expressing solidarity with Palestine in Britain. The European Legal Support Center (ELSC), in collaboration with Forensic Architecture, has documented over 900 instances of alleged repression over the past six years, raising concerns about the chilling effect on free speech and political activism. These incidents range from harassment and doxing to visa cancellations and arrests, often justified by accusations of antisemitism or terrorism support.

The findings, compiled in what’s being called an “index of repression,” suggest a systemic pattern of targeting rather than isolated events. Researchers say the data reveals a complex network of actors working to suppress pro-Palestinian voices, impacting not only activists but also students, academics, and artists. This comes amid heightened scrutiny of speech related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and a broader debate about the boundaries of acceptable political expression.

Systemic Targeting Across Sectors

The report identifies four primary “actors of repression”: police (involved in 220 incidents), educational institutions (192 incidents), pro-Israel advocacy groups (141 incidents), and journalists and other media actors (141 incidents). Students, academics, and teachers have been disproportionately affected, accounting for 336 of the documented cases. Activists and organizers were targeted in 229 instances, while artists and cultural workers experienced 71 event cancellations, according to the ELSC.

Bob Trafford, of Forensic Architecture, described the situation as a “system” that is “organic, multipolar, self-reinforcing and mutually exacerbating.” He explained at a press conference on Wednesday that the system aims to raise the personal cost of speaking out, ultimately diminishing civil society’s ability to challenge perceived injustices and demand governmental action. The ELSC emphasizes that the index documents allegations of repression, not necessarily definitive proof of wrongdoing in each case.

Personal Toll of Repression

The impact of this alleged repression is deeply personal. Sajja Iqbal, a teacher and member of the Redbridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign, shared her experience of being investigated and formally warned after participating in a protest at a Sainsbury’s supermarket. Iqbal and others removed Israeli goods from the shelves, placing them in a shopping trolley covered with a Palestinian flag, and delivered a letter to the store manager calling for a boycott. She stated her name and school were widely publicized, causing significant distress to her physical and mental health. “This is what they do to silence me and all the workers that speak out,” Iqbal said. “I have not committed any criminal offence but simply exercised my democratic right.” She intends to pursue legal action with the assistance of the ELSC.

Tara Mariwany, the senior monitoring officer at ELSC, clarified the organization’s role, stating, “It is not our role to decide what is and what isn’t antisemitism or support for terrorism… It’s simply our role to document it and to reveal that it doesn’t matter if you wear a watermelon sticker on your shirt, that might give rise to the allegation of antisemitism.” Mariwany emphasized the goal is to highlight the scale of the issue and encourage scrutiny of the accusations themselves. The ELSC clarified that it does not independently assess whether each case constitutes antisemitism or support for terrorism.

The report’s findings align with growing concerns about the suppression of pro-Palestinian voices in the UK, as reported by The Guardian and Al Jazeera.

The ELSC’s work adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a pattern of intimidation and suppression of Palestinian advocacy in the UK. What remains to be seen is how these concerns will be addressed by authorities and whether measures will be taken to protect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression in relation to this sensitive issue.

This is a developing story. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV has unveiled a comprehensive schedule of international travel over the next four months, highlighted by a ten-day tour of Africa and visits to Monaco and Spain. The Vatican announced the plans on February 25th, signaling a continued emphasis on global engagement during Pope Leo’s pontificate. This ambitious itinerary underscores the Pope’s commitment to both pastoral outreach and interfaith dialogue, with a particular focus on regions facing significant challenges.

The upcoming trips represent a significant undertaking for the pontiff, encompassing diverse cultural and political landscapes. The African journey, in particular, is poised to be a landmark event, marking the first visit to the continent since Pope Leo assumed the papacy. Beyond the logistical complexities, the trips are designed to address pressing global issues, including peace, poverty, and migration, while strengthening the Catholic Church’s presence worldwide. The Pope’s travels will start with a brief but symbolically important visit to Monaco.

Papal Visit to Monaco: A Historic First

Pope Leo will first travel to Monaco on March 28th for a day-long visit, the first by a pope to the principality in the modern era. The trip comes at the invitation of Prince Albert II, who previously extended an invitation to Pope Francis. According to the Vatican, Roman Catholicism is the official state religion of Monaco, with approximately 82 percent of the population identifying as Catholic. This visit underscores the close relationship between the Holy See and the small, independent city-state.

Ten Days Across Africa: Peace and Dialogue as Central Themes

From April 13th to 23rd, Pope Leo will embark on a ten-day journey across Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The Vatican has emphasized that the overarching themes of this trip will be peace and care for the poor. The journey will also trace the footsteps of St. Augustine, a pivotal figure in Christian theology.

The first stop, Algeria, from April 13th to 15th, holds particular significance. Pope Leo has previously expressed his desire to visit the country to explore sites associated with St. Augustine and to foster dialogue between the Christian and Muslim worlds. Algeria is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, with approximately 99 percent of its 45 million residents adhering to the faith, according to the 2025 edition of the Annuario Pontificio, the Vatican’s annual yearbook. The Catholic population represents a small minority, numbering around 8,740.

The papal itinerary then moves to Cameroon from April 15th to 18th, with planned visits to Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. The inclusion of Bamenda is particularly noteworthy, as it lies within the Anglophone northwest region of Cameroon, currently experiencing a nearly decade-long separatist conflict. The crisis, which began in 2017 with protests by English-speaking teachers and lawyers, has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. Christianity is the predominant religion in Cameroon, practiced by over 60 percent of the population, with approximately 7.9 million Catholics, representing 27.9 percent of the country’s population.

From April 18th to 21st, Pope Leo will visit Angola, where Catholicism is the largest religious group, encompassing over 17.9 million adherents – roughly 49 percent of the population. Despite its oil wealth, Angola continues to grapple with significant poverty and economic inequality. Pope Benedict XVI last visited Angola in 2009, following St. John Paul II’s 1992 trip commemorating the 500th anniversary of its evangelization.

The final leg of the African tour will capture Pope Leo to Equatorial Guinea from April 21st to 23rd, with stops in Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata. Approximately 81.58 percent of Equatorial Guinea’s 1.37 million population is Catholic, making it one of the most Catholic nations in sub-Saharan Africa by percentage. It’s also the only Spanish-speaking country on the continent, and this will be only the second papal visit in its history, the first occurring in 1982 with St. John Paul II.

Spain and the Sagrada Família: A Centenary Celebration

Pope Leo’s international travels will conclude with a week-long visit to Spain from June 6th to 12th, with expected stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. A key highlight of the Barcelona leg will be the inauguration of the newest and tallest tower of the Sagrada Família basilica. This visit coincides with the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the renowned architect of the basilica, who was declared venerable last year, a step towards potential beatification.

The Canary Islands are expected to be a focal point for discussions surrounding migration, as the archipelago serves as a major entry point for migrants crossing from Africa to Europe. Tens of thousands of migrants arrive in the Canary Islands each year, and the late Pope Francis had previously expressed a desire to visit the islands to address this issue.

In addition to these international engagements, the Vatican has announced six planned trips within Italy for Pope Leo this year, including visits to the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, the tomb of St. Augustine in northern Italy, and the island of Lampedusa on July 4th.

The Pope’s extensive travel schedule reflects a commitment to engaging with communities around the world and addressing critical global challenges. As these trips unfold, they will undoubtedly shape the ongoing narrative of Pope Leo’s pontificate and the Catholic Church’s role in the 21st century. The Vatican has not yet released detailed logistical information regarding security arrangements or specific event schedules for each location.

Share your thoughts on Pope Leo’s upcoming travels in the comments below.