Palestine has become electoral issue in UK for first time, says solidarity campaign chief

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Published: 2026-09-28T16:21:45.004Z • Permanent link

Anger over Israel's war in Gaza is mobilizing British voters for the first time, according to Aimee Shalan, the incoming head of the country's solidarity campaign against Israel's military actions. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) has been closely following the developments, and Shalan's appointment marks a significant shift in the organization's strategy. Shalan will be leading the PACBI's efforts to organize protests, rallies, and other activities in the UK, with a focus on raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The PACBI's efforts have been largely focused on academic and cultural boycotts of Israel, but Shalan's appointment signals a shift towards a more direct approach. The organization has been working closely with other groups, including the Palestinian Muslim Agency and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, to coordinate protests and rallies across the UK. The PACBI has also been using social media to raise awareness about the crisis in Gaza, with thousands of people sharing messages of support for the Palestinian people.

Shalan's appointment has been welcomed by many in the UK's solidarity movement, who see it as a major boost to efforts to raise awareness about the crisis in Gaza. "Aimee Shalan is a highly respected and experienced campaigner who has a deep understanding of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. "We look forward to working with her to build a stronger and more effective solidarity movement in the UK.

The appointment of Aimee Shalan as the head of the PACBI's UK campaign has significant implications for companies and research communities that have been affected by the conflict. Many UK-based companies have faced criticism for their involvement in the Israeli military industry, and the PACBI's efforts are likely to put pressure on these companies to re-evaluate their policies. Research institutions, such as the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics, have also been accused of having ties to Israel, and the PACBI's efforts may lead to increased scrutiny of these institutions.

The PACBI's campaign has already had a significant impact on the UK's academic and research communities, with many institutions facing criticism for their ties to Israel. The PACBI has been targeting universities that have signed agreements with Israeli institutions, and has also been highlighting the work of researchers who have been involved in projects funded by the Israeli government. The PACBI's efforts are likely to continue to put pressure on these institutions, and may lead to increased calls for them to divest from Israeli companies and institutions.

The PACBI's campaign is part of a larger pattern of growing activism around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in protests and demonstrations in the UK, with many people calling for an end to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The PACBI's efforts are likely to be influenced by this broader trend, and may also be shaped by competing approaches and historical comparisons.