Our Democracy is Under Occupation

Thousands of peaceful protesters arrested. A direct-action group branded “terrorist.” A UN official sanctioned. ICC judges attacked.

We were told the rule of law would keep us safe. So why does it increasingly look like a system where power protects power?

This week on The Tea, we sit down with Tayab Ali — lawyer and director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians — about the growing clash between the rule of law and what he calls a “rules-based order.”

From the “unlawful” proscription of Palestine Action to the arrest of peaceful protesters, from UK citizens joining the IDF to the targeting of doctors, lawyers, and UN officials who speak out against the genocide, decisions are increasingly dictated by political interests — and the Israeli lobby, which pulls strings across government and media.

The result? A system that treats people differently depending on who they support.

We discuss:

🔍 The legacy of the Terrorism Act 2000 — security vs civil liberties

⚖️ The influence of the Israeli lobby in the UK and abroad

🌍 UK nationals joining the IDF — why aren’t they investigated?

🇺🇳 Sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

🧑‍⚕️ The regulatory case of surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah

📢 Palestine Action and protest arrests under counter-terror laws

🏛️ Calls for a public inquiry into lobbying, influence, and policy decisions

⚖️ Potential end of trial by jury — who benefits from limiting public accountability?

🌍 The case South Africa brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice

As Tayab Ali warns, there’s a separate system for certain people and groups — and Israel is one of them. “We must reclaim the law, defend it at every level, and make sure justice applies equally to everyone” — or risk losing it entirely.

#TayabAli #UKPolitics #PalestineAction #RighttoProtest #genocide #Palestine #Netanyahu #YoavGallant #ICCArrestWarrant

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AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Tayab Ali

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Martha Missingham, Maryam Abada and Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

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