On 11 October, UCL Marxist Society was suspended by the UCL Student Union. The ‘crime’ committed by the society was to put up posters and posts on social media for a meeting on Palestine that apparently “could be construed as inciting violence”.

Our posters and social media posts showed a Palestinian flag with the slogan: ‘Intifada until victory! The fight for a free Palestine.’ The posters also featured an illustration of an Israel Defence Forces soldier pointing his gun at a Palestinian teenager.

We say: Is it wrong to call for mass resistance to brutal oppression? Is an image of an IDF soldier aiming at a young Palestinian not the sad reality for the Palestinians who live under a violent system of apartheid?

But as shown on the 11th, if you acknowledge this reality and speak out in defence of the Palestinians you will be vilified, slandered, and censored. Sadly this is endemic of a greater attack on freedom of speech for those showing solidarity with Palestine, not just at UCL but across Britain.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated to senior police officers that even waving a Palestinian flag could be considered a criminal offence. Already, a protestor in Manchester has been arrested for wearing the Palestine flag – supposedly for ‘breach of the peace’, while other bystanders were also threatened with arrest.

At universities, academics and student activists are coming under attack for declaring solidarity with Palestine or voicing opposition to Israeli occupation. Trade unions are also being criticised. This includes the UCU, who have faced backlash for stating how recent events are “part of a continuing cycle of violence that has been the result of decades of brutal occupation.”

We, the undersigned, condemn all attempts to shut down solidarity with the Palestinian people and these outrageous attacks on a fundamental democratic right, freedom of speech.

We call on all student societies and trade unions, all workers and students, who are in solidarity with Palestine and want to defend democratic rights to:

• Sign and share this statement widely;

• Pass motions of solidarity with Palestine and in defence of free speech in student unions and trade unions, that include pledges not to suspend any individual or organisation for showing solidarity with Palestine;

• Use all means possible including mass meetings, rallies, and social media to show solidarity with the Palestinians and tell the truth about what’s going on; defend freedom of speech; and defend any staff or students who are silenced or sanctioned on this matter.