Observer slammed for ‘sympathetic interview’ with Palestine Action founder

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The Observer newspaper has been criticised for giving what has been described as a “sympathetic” interview to the founder of Palestine Action. The paper’s front-page features a quote from Huda Ammori, in which she says it was “beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation”. In the interview, the co-founder of the group, which has attacked Jewish communal organisations, businesses, attacked a police officer and which broke into RAF Brize Norton and caused damage to British military equipment, said she was surprised at the government’s move to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in the aftermath of the break-in to Brize Norton.

Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture

The JC never reports what the Observer interview contained beyond its front-page quote. The interview set out the Home Office case against the group, quoting Yvette Cooper on a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage". It reported that co-founder Richard Barnard had been charged under the Terrorism Act. It also reported that court-watchers found the judges sceptical of Palestine Action's case. Without this, readers accept the critics' word that the interview was sympathetic and one-sided.

How we know

The Observer reported“For Yvette Cooper , then home secretary, it was the latest in a “long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action”.”Huda Ammori: ‘It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation’ (opens in a new tab)
The Observer reported“Court-watchers without a stake in the proceedings agreed that the judges seemed sceptical of Palestine Action’s case.”Huda Ammori: ‘It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation’ (opens in a new tab)

She also says she is confident of winning an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, should her appeal against Palestine Action to the Supreme Court – which is ongoing – fail. The decision to give Ammori a prominent interview was severely criticised. Labour MP David Taylor told the JC: "What are the Observer's Jewish readers meant to think about this sympathetic interview? And what about Sgt Kate Evans whose spine was fractured after she was attacked by Palestine Action activists?

He continued: “After they attacked and sabotaged RAF Brize Norton, the government was completely right to proscribe them and I hope the Supreme Court upholds the government's decision, and we see an end to this nonsense challenge. We also need to make sure any offshoots are prevented from doing the same”. Just in case you were in any doubt as to where the husk of The Observer stands on the whole "smashing up our defence industry, crippling a Policewoman, and terrorising Jews" issue pic.twitter.com/sSv0Mu9Tqb — David Toube (@davidtoube) November 8, 2026 David Toube, general counsel at the Jewish Leadership Council, shared a post of the paper’s front cover with the caption: “Just in case you were in any doubt as to where the husk of The Observer stands on the whole ‘smashing up our defence industry, crippling a Policewoman, and terrorising Jews’ issue” on social media.

Sharing the interview on social media, Ammori appeared to defend her group’s actions. On X, she said: "Direct action against Elbit [an Israeli-linked defence firm] is about saving lives, and the 4,000 people arrested for holding signs are not just showing their support for Palestine but are also defying the complete erosion of free speech.” Last week, during the appeal against the group’s proscription as a terrorist organisation, lawyers representing Ammori refused to condemn a sledgehammer attack that broke Sgt Kate Evans’ back, which took place during a Palestine Action raid on an Elbit site in August 2024.

Raza Hussain KC was pressed by Lord Stephens of Creevyloughgare during proceedings: “In relation to the Bristol incident which involved a sledgehammer being slammed into the back of the police officer, was that condemned by Palestine Action?” Husain responded: “It was not. That is sub judice.” The judge pressed him, asking: “Is it presently condemned by Palestine Action?” Husain initially replied that the case was “the subject of challenge” before repeatedly acknowledging that the attack “has not been” condemned.

Read the original article on thejc.com

What we found (2)

The Jewish Chronicle states in its own voice that Palestine Action has attacked Jewish communal organisations, a grave charge it backs with nothing in the article, while its own earlier reporting and the Observer describe the group's targets as defence facilities and Elbit sites. The JC also never tells readers that the Observer interview set out the Home Office case against the group, so the critics' description of it as sympathetic goes untested.

Smears a named person
Severe
“which has attacked Jewish communal organisations”
Why this matters
In its own voice the JC lists "attacked Jewish communal organisations" first among Palestine Action's acts, as an established fact about the group.
The impression it gives
Readers take it that Palestine Action is a group that targets Jewish community bodies, which makes it an antisemitic organisation rather than one acting against an arms company.
The context
Nothing in the article names any Jewish organisation attacked, gives a date or cites a source. The JC's own earlier report and the Observer's reports describe the group's targets as defence facilities, Elbit Systems sites and RAF Brize Norton. The only other mention of Jews comes in David Toube's attributed social media post.
How we know
- The Jewish Chronicle wrote earlier“PA’s litany of direct action attacks are responsible for causing millions of pounds of damage to British defence facilities.”Reversing Palestine Action ban ‘would threaten British national security’ (opens in a new tab)
- The Observer reported“after a series of acts of sabotage, including causing damage to military planes at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire”Palestine Action vows to go to European human rights court if UK government upholds ban (opens in a new tab)
- The Observer reported“disrupt and degrade Elbit Systems’ facilities “without restraint””Huda Ammori: ‘It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation’ (opens in a new tab)
Show it in the article
Written straight
Palestine Action, which was proscribed after members broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged military aircraft, has targeted Elbit Systems sites and defence facilities.
Leaves out what changes the picture
Minor
What is missing
The JC never reports what the Observer interview contained beyond its front-page quote. The interview set out the Home Office case against the group, quoting Yvette Cooper on a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage". It reported that co-founder Richard Barnard had been charged under the Terrorism Act. It also reported that court-watchers found the judges sceptical of Palestine Action's case. Without this, readers accept the critics' word that the interview was sympathetic and one-sided.
How we know
- The Observer reported“For Yvette Cooper , then home secretary, it was the latest in a “long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action”.”Huda Ammori: ‘It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation’ (opens in a new tab)
- The Observer reported“Court-watchers without a stake in the proceedings agreed that the judges seemed sceptical of Palestine Action’s case.”Huda Ammori: ‘It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a terrorist organisation’ (opens in a new tab)
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Observer slammed for ‘sympathetic interview’ with Palestine Action founder

Smears a named person

Leaves out what changes the picture

How other outlets reported it

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