Severe sentences are being handed down to Gaza protesters, some accused of doing nothing more than throwing a placard stick. And the British state wonders why British Muslims are becoming radicalised.
by Siân Ruddick
Seven people who took part in the protests against the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2009 were jailed last week.
Some were as long as two and a half years.
The judge said that the aim of his sentencing was to create a “deterrent effect”.
The length of the sentences went against the recommendations of the pre-sentence reports by the probation service.
The charges related to the demonstration on 10 January last year when police clashed with protesters outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, London.
The accused all pled guilty to violent disorder – they were accused of throwing placard sticks and pushing or kicking police.
Only one of the defendants has a previous conviction, and most are in full time education.
Mohammed El-Araj, aged 20, was sentenced to two years, despite a pre-sentence report which suggested that he recieve a community order.
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