Prosecutors challenged on branding Palestine chant a hate crime

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On September 1, Kimberley Davidson, Tessa Goodwin, Elisa Smith, Jean Oliver and Kieran Robson were convicted on charges relating to a protest at Leonardo UK’s Edinburgh plant on December 10 2024, where they sought to draw attention to firm’s role in supplying components central to the Israeli regime’s military.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) however alleged race was an aggravating factor in protesters’ actions, citing their chant of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” an argument dismissed by Sheriff Graham Watson as he deleted the alleged aggravations.

Now Ms Davidson has submitted a formal complaint to COPFS, questioning the decision to pursue racial aggravation, its legal basis, and whether any consideration was given to Palestinian history, identity and political expression in the process.

In a statement, the protesters said of the chant: “This is a call for Palestinian freedom, equality, dignity and an end to oppression.

“It is not an expression of hatred towards any protected group.

“Palestinians have the right to name their oppression and demand freedom throughout their historic homeland.

“Treating that demand as inherently threatening or hateful cannot be separated from the wider context of anti-Palestinian racism.

“Palestinian freedom is not hate speech.”

Backing the protesters, Dr Eman El-Bahnassawy, a member of Scotland’s Palestinian community and Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine Scotland, added: “Call it what it is: from the river to the sea, Palestine will be — and should be — free.”