A minister is threatening to cancel the “biggest ever in Europe” pro-Palestinian event, organised by a group allegedly linked to anti-Semites, Islamists, and terror groups, to be hosted in a government building in Westminster.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid is reported to be considering personally intervening to stop the event, which is to be held in a building controlled by his department, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
The Department for Communities and Local Government wrote to the organisers of Palestinian Expo 2017, which is scheduled to start in less than a fortnight, to raise Mr. Javid’s concerns on the 14th of June.
According to Haaretz, the letter cited “concerns that your organisation and those connected with it have expressed public support for a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, and that you have supported events at which Hamas and Hizballah – also proscribed – have been praised”.
Organisers Friends of Al-Aqsa replied, writing to the department complaining about the proposed ban. Ismail Patel, a founder of Friends of Al-Aqsa, also claimed the department was unlawfully interfering and blamed the “pro-Israel lobby” for undermining the group’s reputation.
“We are determined to host Palestine Expo and are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre,” he said in a statement.
“If Mr. Javid interferes and attempts to stop us from using the QEII we are ready to go to court for a Judicial Review to ensure Palestine Expo goes ahead. Having spoken to our lawyers we are confident the DCLG is unlawfully interfering with Palestine Expo.” READ MORE
