A former senior official from the Trump administration has publicly criticised British police forces for arresting individuals expressing support for the proscribed organisation Palestine Action, labelling the move a form of censorship that harms democratic principles.
US Official Condemns 'Censoring' of Speech
Sarah Rogers, who served as the US undersecretary for public diplomacy, stated that prosecuting people for "merely" voicing support for the group was counterproductive. In an interview with the news platform Semafor, she argued that "censoring that speech does more harm than good", unless individuals were directly coordinating with violent foreign terrorists.
Rogers was questioned on whether the British government should permit demonstrations by supporters of the banned group. She responded that while she would need to examine each case individually, the act of simply standing up and saying "I support Palestine Action" should not be criminalised.
Background of the Ban and Arrests
The controversy stems from a parliamentary vote in July 2025 to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. This decision followed an incident where the pro-Palestine group breached RAF Brize Norton and vandalised aircraft.
Since the proscription, more than 2,000 people have been detained across Britain for expressing support. A common reason for arrest has been displaying signs with the phrase: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Critics had warned that the ban risked criminalising legitimate protest.
Broader Context of Free Speech Debates
Rogers, alongside other figures like Vice-President JD Vance, has been a persistent critic of what she perceives as declining free speech protections in the UK. She recently drew a controversial comparison between Britain under Labour and Vladimir Putin's Russia, referencing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's comments on potentially banning Elon Musk's platform X.
During the Semafor interview, Rogers also addressed the specific chant "globalise the intifada". While stating she found the phrase personally unacceptable, especially as a New Yorker referencing the 9/11 attacks, she affirmed that in most contexts it should be legal to say.
This stance contrasts with operational guidance from UK police. In December, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced they would arrest anyone chanting that phrase or carrying it on a placard. Police commissioners stated they were adopting a more assertive approach due to an "escalating threat context" and the fear such language incites in Jewish communities.
The Trump administration itself has faced significant criticism for its own record on free speech, including the arrest of pro-Palestinian protest leaders and threats against media outlets.
