A complex and evolving ecosystem of organisations drives pro-Palestine activism across the UK spanning mass mobilisation, academic advocacy, humanitarian outreach, cultural programming, and even direct action. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the leading organisations, their missions, operations, and direct links to engage further or verify information.
1. Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
Website: palestinecampaign.org
Overview: The most prominent and widespread UK pro-Palestine network, PSC coordinates 60+ local branches. It organizes national marches (e.g., annual Gaza solidarity rallies), supports BDS campaigns at universities, councils and public institutions, facilitates educational outreach in schools and local communities, and engages MPs with letters, petitions, and presentations. Branches hold weekly stalls, film screenings, speaker events, and ‘Ask Your MP’ clinics.
2. Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA)
Website: foa.org.uk
Overview: FOA delivers public education through online webinars, school curricula (History and RS resources), and grassroots activism. It runs regular national and local campaigns, including virtual conferences (such as Palestine Expo), coordinated lobbying days, boycotts against arms companies supplying Israel, letter-writing campaigns, and vigils at strategic moments (e.g., anniversaries of Al-Aqsa incursions).
3. Stop the War Coalition
Website: stopwar.org.uk
Overview: With decades of experience in organising anti-war mobilisations, Stop the War integrates Palestinian solidarity into its broader agenda. The coalition is known for securing high-profile speakers on nationwide buses, arranging protests outside key government sites, sponsoring parliamentary briefings, and collaborating with refugee support charities. Its strength lies in alliance politics—with trade unions, student bodies, and faith networks.
4. Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
Website: pfbuk.com
Overview: PFB offers cultural events, literary readings, public dialogue panels, and religiously inclusive community gatherings. It partners with universities, facilitates artist residencies, and recently held an online film festival exploring Palestinian narrative through cinema. PFB emphasizes media advocacy, constantly placing op-eds, letters, and interviews in major UK outlets during key political developments.
5. Palestine Action
Wikipedia page: Palestine Action
Overview: A direct-action collective that had targeted arms manufacturers linked to Israel occupying sites, gluing themselves to machinery, and blocking entrances. Its methods led to proscription under the UK’s terrorism legislation in July 2025. Before the ban, Palestine Action published legal analysis, videos of actions, statements explaining tactics, and legal defence resources for arrested activists.
6. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
Website: map.org.uk
Overview: MAP channels donations to frontline medical services in Gaza, West Bank, and Lebanon. It deploys mobile clinics, funds emergency surgeries, provides training for Palestinian healthcare staff, and lobbies the UK government for humanitarian corridors. MAP also publishes health impact reports and hosts parliamentary briefings with medical experts.
7. BDS Movement (UK Supporters)
Website: bdsmovement.net
Overview: UK-based BDS advocates coordinate campaigns urging institutions—especially universities, trade unions, and councils to withdraw investments, academic ties, cultural cooperation, or trade with Israeli entities violating international law. They circulate single-issue campaign toolkits, university-tailored guides, and coordinate sign-on letters.
8. University & College Union (UCU)
Website: ucu.org.uk
Overview: UCU defends academic freedom, endorses staff and student right to support BDS, and resists disciplinary targeting over Palestine activism. It supports motions in universities for ceasefire, engages in union-based boycott motions, and provides legal advice and solidarity training materials for lecturers and students.
9. Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Website: mabonline.net
Overview: MAB organises “National March for Palestine” events, petitions MPs for arms embargoes, and liaises with faith networks to amplify messaging. It hosts campaign roadshows during Ramadan and Eid, publishes political briefings for mosques and community groups, and collaborates with wider Muslim civic networks to amplify calls for humanitarian relief.
10. Na’amod
Website: naamod.org.uk
Overview: A Jewish grassroots movement opposing occupation and apartheid, Na’amod uses synagogue-to-synagogue organizing, weekly literature, training sessions for community leaders, and interfaith coalition events. It has worked with student groups, faith-based charities, and PSC branches to expand pro-Palestine voices within British Jewish spaces.
What These Groups Do Today
- Public Demonstrations and Vigils: PSC and Stop the War organize national mobilisations; FOA, MAB, and UCU amplify localized vigils and protest days.
- Lobbying and Policy Influence: FOA, MAP, BDS Movement UK, MAB push MPs and councils with briefings, petitions, and hearings; UCU stages university-level motions.
- Cultural & Educational Outreach: PFB and FOA conduct arts programs, school curriculum work, university lectures, documentary screenings, and podcasts; UCU hosts campus seminars.
- Direct Action Campaigns: Palestine Action used physical disruption at manufacturer sites, providing media visibility and controversy (now proscribed).
- Humanitarian Work: MAP delivers emergency medical aid, training, and rights advocacy in areas of conflict.
- Organising Inside Communities: Na’amod works in Jewish communal spaces; MAB focuses on mosque-based outreach; PSC branches engage local neighbourhoods; BDS publications reach faith and trade union circles.
