On 5 January 2026, Tony Greenstein goes on trial at Kingston Crown Court accused of ‘support for terrorism’ for backing Palestinian resistance against colonial occupation, the decades-long siege of Gaza and genocide. He is one of thousands who have been arrested under a government crackdown that redefines terrorism as opposition to the government’s foreign policy. Authoritarianism is rising, and we must act to defend our freedoms before it is too late. Our struggles are interconnected: an injury to one is an injury to all.
Who is Tony?
Tony Greenstein is a 72-year old grandfather. He is a Jewish socialist activist, writer, and trade unionist. He has a decades-long track record of fighting for social justice and equality, and opposing racism, fascism, colonialism, and imperialism. He has worked through grassroots organising, public scholarship, community-based action and charitable initiatives in solidarity with Palestine and other struggles against oppression.
Why is Tony on trial?
Tony is facing charges of “inviting support for terrorism” under Section 12 of the UK’s Terrorism Act. This offence carries a possible sentence of 14 years in prison. He is being prosecuted solely for writing in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom from colonial occupation, apartheid, siege and genocide, all of which has been facilitated by Western governments.
Tony’s case cannot be separated from the wider political moment. More than 2700 people have been arrested for stating their support for Palestine Action under the UK’s Terrorism Act, while environmental groups, animal rights activists, anti-racists and trade unionists are targeted under the Counter-Terrorism Act. The aim is to silence opposition to imperialist wars, economic injustice, structural racism, and climate catastrophe.
Our democratic freedoms are under attack. Protest is being criminalised. Public debate is being shut down. UN human rights experts, the UN human rights commissioner, and major human rights organisations say that the UK government crackdown is silencing activists, journalists and ordinary people who speak up. They have warned that Britain is sliding backwards on democracy and human rights.
What can you do?
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Attend the trial
Attend the trial from 5-10 January at Kingston Crown Court. Show the legal system and the government that the public is watching.
Justice for Tony Greenstein 