# 143: Pursuit of Floppiness, with Chris Kunzler Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIejf3DWRpI Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/TIejf3DWRpI Generated: 2025-09-18T22:00:41.296+00:00 --- ## 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. **Context:** This episode of the "Bad Hasbara" podcast features a discussion with British content creator Chris Kunzler. The conversation centers on the recent proscription of the activist group Palestine Action in the UK and the broader context of pro-Palestine activism and its suppression. The hosts and guest delve into specific protest tactics, the legal ramifications of being proscribed, and comparisons between the UK and US approaches to activism, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ## Detailed Analysis The "Bad Hasbara" podcast episode with Chris Kunzler critically examines the UK government's proscription of Palestine Action, an organization known for its direct actions against Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacturer. Kunzler and the hosts express disbelief at the proscription, noting it was enacted under the Terrorism Act 2000 alongside groups like the "Maniacs Murder Cult," which they find absurd. They detail Palestine Action's methods, such as occupying and damaging Elbit Systems' factories, and argue that the proscription is an attempt to silence dissent and punish activism against British complicity in what they describe as "genocide capitalism." The discussion highlights the "going floppy" protest tactic, where activists become limp upon arrest, which UK police deem a "flipping nuisance" and a waste of resources, leading to scenes of officers carrying limp protesters. Comparisons are drawn between UK and US responses to activism, with the UK seen as having more public criticism of Israeli government actions and elected officials being more vocal, though recent proscriptions mark a shift towards heavier-handed tactics. The episode points out the perceived absurdity of UK enforcement, citing instances like the detention of someone wearing a "Plasticine Action" t-shirt and the "floppy" arrest of a decorated veteran, which they argue makes the police look ridiculous and highlights an overreach of authority. They contrast this with the US, where police have used rubber bullets against student protesters, but note that the UK's actions are now creating a spectacle that could overwhelm their legal system. The episode also touches on the downplaying of large pro-Palestine marches in British media and the existence of counter-protests that are heavily policed, creating a stark contrast with the treatment of those protesting against perceived injustices. ### Podcast Announcements - Host introductions, calls for reviews and subscriptions, promotion of upcoming live shows in New York and Pasadena, and announcement of a mailbag episode with submission details via email (badesparaggmail.com) and voicemail (747-348-5259). - Sponsor Segment: Promotion of "Bridge of Solidarity," an anti-capitalist mutual aid organization in Gaza, encouraging donations via chuffed.org/pro/bridgeofsolidarity. ### Musical Mashups Discussion - Daniel discusses "The Gray Album" (Danger Mouse's mashup of Jay-Z's "The Black Album" with The Beatles' "The White Album"), along with other Beatles-inspired albums like "Mlemore Avenue" by Booker T. and the MGs, George Benson's "The Other Side of Abbey Road," "Beatles Reggae" by The Reggae Specials, and "Wu-Tang Versus The Beatles: The Magical Mystery Chamber." ### Netanyahu's Speech Analysis - The hosts analyze a clip of Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to a US congressional delegation, highlighting his sad delivery while promoting Israeli products like cherry tomatoes and USB drives as proof of Israeli innovation and its connection to the US, which the hosts find poignant and almost melancholic. ### Introduction of Guest Chris Kunzler - Chris Kunzler, a TikToker and content creator from England, is introduced as a highly requested guest, bringing British perspective to the podcast. ### Discussion on Tommy Robinson and Far-Right Politics - The conversation shifts to Tommy Robinson, a far-right figure in the UK, and his recent association with waving Israeli flags at protests. Kunzler describes Robinson as a "far-right guy who loves Israel and also loves cocaine," detailing his controversial documentary about a Syrian schoolboy and his subsequent legal troubles for contempt of court. ### Shifting Right-Wing Support for Israel - The hosts and Kunzler explore the trend of some UK right-wingers shifting towards supporting Israel, linking it to anti-Muslim sentiment and the idea of Israel as a strong force against Muslims, contrasting with traditional anti-semitic leanings in some far-right circles. ### Palestine Action and Proscription - The core of the discussion focuses on Palestine Action, a direct action group targeting Elbit Systems. Kunzler explains their methods of occupying and damaging weapons factories, and the UK government's decision to proscribe them as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act 2000. The absurdity of this designation, especially when grouped with other, seemingly less significant groups, is heavily critiqued. ### Protest Tactics and Legal Response - The "going floppy" tactic is detailed as a form of civil disobedience that frustrates police. The podcast also discusses the arbitrary nature of enforcement, highlighting cases of individuals being targeted for wearing t-shirts with parody slogans like "Plasticine Action" and the police's struggle to interpret and enforce the proscription, leading to a spectacle that undermines their authority. The episode contrasts the heavy-handedness of the UK's current response with previous, less forceful approaches to activism and notes the media's tendency to underreport large pro-Palestine marches while focusing on arrests and counter-protests funded by the state or far-right groups, often accompanied by loud, irritating music and heavy police presence.