CAGE Report Exposes UK Zionist Lobby’s Attempts to Outlaw Palestinian Activism

London - CAGE International has released a new report tracking how two pro-Zionist organisations, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) and the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), have instrumentalised regulatory authorities in Britain to attack and harass those who criticise Zionism and Israel’s racist policies. 

The report entitled, Britain’s Apartheid Apologists, sets out how through foreign state interference and political and media cover, the groups represent a threat to the very foundations of democratic debate in Britain.

The report exposes how these two British organisations have worked to defend Israel’s apartheid nature. Evidence presented in the report raises concern about the compliance of the UKLFI and CAA with UK charity law, which prohibits incitement to hatred on the grounds of race or religion and the promotion of views that denigrate those of a particular faith or race. Support for the racial domination enacted by an apartheid state is a clear breach of their legal and charitable duties. 

Despite providing a platform for right-wing views, and a lack of transparency around their funding sources, the organisations have sought a veneer of legitimacy through the support of UK politicians from both the Labour and Conservative Parties.

The report demonstrates how the organisations have weaponised regulatory frameworks and vexatious lawfare to stifle free speech, chill public debate and intimidate Palestinian solidarity activists. Those targeted include, amongst others, academics, doctors, students and charity organisations.

Dr Asim Qureshi, CAGE International’s Research Director, said:

“Britain faces a democratic emergency, with free expression under sustained attack from a network of bad-faith actors who collaborate with willing and racist government institutions to suppress popular opposition to Zionism and support for the Palestinian people.” 

“What begins with the silencing of Palestine advocacy today, could be turned against any contentious issue in future.”

In their foreword of the report, the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) states: 

“The CAA and UKLFI’s work has contributed to an intensifying wave of repression: wearing a pin or keffiyeh for Palestine becomes a sackable offence; speaking out against the Gaza genocide risks referrals to regulators; and tearing down factories arming genocide results in lengthy custodial sentences.”

IJAN added that ironically, anti-discrimination law in the UK is being misused as the “central tool for suppressing anti-Zionism or pro-Palestinian advocacy and action”. “Specifically, proponents of Zionism wilfully and recklessly perpetuate a basic falsehood - that support for Palestine is antisemitism. In doing so they use the very laws meant to prevent racism to advance it.”

The report includes a set of recommendations. They are:

1. A judge-led public inquiry into foreign influence operations targeting UK civil society;
2. Root-and-branch reform of professional regulators;
3. New legislation to protect professional independence; 
4. Accountability for complicit politicians; and, 
5. Media reform to address institutional bias in coverage of the Palestinian struggle for liberation from Israeli colonialism, occupation, apartheid and genocide.

Highlighting findings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion in 2024 against Israel for its continued occupation of Palestinian territory, the report states that the UK’s failure to confront these organisations’ complicity, risks normalising structural racism and eroding the foundations of democratic debate. 

The report states that, “Only through decisive action to uphold international law and protect free expression can the UK begin to redress its role in perpetuating injustice against the Palestinian people,”.