143: Pursuit of Floppiness, with Chris Kunzler

Quick Overview

The "Bad Hasbara" podcast episode features Chris Kunzler discussing the proscription of Palestine Action in the UK, analyzing the "going floppy" protest tactic, and critiquing the UK's response to pro-Palestine activism compared to the US, highlighting the perceived overreach and absurdity of the legal designations and police actions against protesters.

Key Points: Palestine Action, a direct action group targeting Elbit Systems (Israel's largest weapons manufacturer), has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK, a designation the hosts and guest Chris Kunzler find disproportionate and absurd, especially when grouped with groups like the "Maniacs Murder Cult." The "going floppy" protest tactic, where activists become limp when arrested, is highlighted as a "flipping nuisance" by UK police, leading to multiple officers carrying away protesters and creating a spectacle that the police feel makes them look bad. Chris Kunzler explains that the proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000 is an attempt to curb direct action against Israeli weapons manufacturers, citing Elbit Systems factories across the UK as targets for actions like smashing gates and damaging equipment. The podcast draws a comparison between UK and US responses to pro-Palestine activism, noting that the UK sees more public action and criticism from elected officials, while the US has seen police use rubber bullets against students during encampments, contrasting with the UK's historically less heavy-handed approach until recent proscriptions. Specific examples of perceived absurdity in UK enforcement include a man being detained for wearing a "Plasticine Action" parody t-shirt and a veteran being carried away while "floppy," illustrating the overreach and ridiculousness of the legal designations. The episode critiques the UK's response to activism, suggesting that heavy-handed tactics and proscriptions, including arresting elderly, disabled, and even descendants of Holocaust survivors, are counterproductive and overwhelm the legal system, while also noting the media's tendency to downplay the scale of large pro-Palestine marches. A counter-protest tactic involving playing loud, irritating music like "We Are the Champions" and singing "You Have No Country" is mentioned, highlighting the stark contrast between the police resources allocated to these groups and those dealing with peaceful protesters.