National security adviser’s wife calls for end to Palestine Action ban
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Add us as preferred source !Sarah Helm is a former Jerusalem correspondent for the Independent Sarah Helm is a former Jerusalem correspondent for the Independent Credit: Clara Molden Sapphire Hope !Sapphire Hope Published 19 October 2026 8:08pm BST The wife of Britain’s national security adviser has called for the ban on Palestine Action to be revoked, days after police cleared her over a social media post in which she seemingly expressed support for the group. Over the weekend, Scotland Yard detectives investigated whether an X post by Sarah Helm, the wife of Jonathan Powell, that appeared to back the group met the criminal threshold. The post read: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.” It was in response to a clip criticising author Sally Rooney after her novels were withdrawn from sale in the UK because of her support for Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that it would not be taking action against Ms Helm because her post did not meet the criminal threshold. On Monday, Ms Helm, a former Middle East Correspondent for the Independent, wrote on the social media site: “So where do I sign the letter calling for such absurdity to halt and for Palestine Action to be unbanned under the Terrorism Act?” The journalist and author was responding to a post about other creatives signing a letter calling on the Government to “lift the Palestine Action ban”. Supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation can lead to a penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Palestine Action was proscribed last year after two of its members broke into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted two military aircraft red. Ms Helm has been highly critical of Israel since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. In 2022, she wrote on X: “Why do occupied Palestinians (after Israel’s decades long illegal occupation condemned by UN) not have right to resist their occupier when Ukrainians are celebrated for their resistance to would be illegal occupier, Russia (condemned by UN)?” In 2024, she called for a US-led international peace force to “drive out Israel’s genocidal army” from Gaza. !Palestine Action has been proscribed since last year Palestine Action has been proscribed since last year Credit: Getty Images/Richard Baker Ms Helm’s latest comments are likely to heighten concerns within the Jewish community about her husband’s role as a negotiator with Israel. He has led recent talks over the future of the British consulate in Jerusalem. The Campaign against Anti-Semitism said Ms Helm’s “incendiary rhetoric” dated back several years. Ms Helm attacked Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, after she said Israel “has the right to defend itself” in response to the Oct 7 attacks. Ms von der Leyen said: “Today, Hamas terrorists have struck at the heart of Israel capturing and killing innocent women and children. Israel has the right to defend itself – today and in the days to come.” Ms Helm accused Ms von der Leyen of “spouting empty dangerous glib tropes”. She then told journalist James O’Brien to “do better” after he defended calls for an Israeli ceasefire weeks after the attacks. The Telegraph revealed on Sunday that Mr Powell was considering quitting his role after complaining of “exhaustion and stress”. According to his friends, he has been “talking about leaving for a long time”. A No 10 spokesman said Ms Helm did not represent the Government in any capacity and that Mr Powell would continue his work as national security advisor. Representatives of Ms Helm were approached for comment. Join the conversation Show 1126 comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link
The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics Palestine Action, Israel-Hamas War, Freedom of speech
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