Richard McNeil-Willson
@mcneilwillson.bsky.social
Lecturer in Global Muslim Studies, University of Edinburgh. Formerly Leiden, Cambridge and European University Institute. Scottish Greens member. Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig.
e: [email protected]
e: [email protected]
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
To explain the ridiculousness of this, holding up a sign at a protest saying that you are pleased with today's HC judgment, could give rise to a 'reasonable suspicion' that you support a proscribed organisation.
I share this only to help those contemplating whether to tweet "I support Palestine Action".
February 13, 2026 at 10:47 AM
To explain the ridiculousness of this, holding up a sign at a protest saying that you are pleased with today's HC judgment, could give rise to a 'reasonable suspicion' that you support a proscribed organisation.
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
These are the two grounds on which Palestine Action won
February 13, 2026 at 10:24 AM
These are the two grounds on which Palestine Action won
The UK ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is UNLAWFUL, high court judges have ruled.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
February 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
The UK ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is UNLAWFUL, high court judges have ruled.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
NEW: The Israeli military today accepted the Gaza Health Ministry's estimate of 70,000+ killed.
But in 2024, 62 Dems joined 207 Republicans to ban the State Dept. from citing the Ministry's stats.
Now, even Israel accepts them — perhaps because they realize what is feared: the toll is even higher.
But in 2024, 62 Dems joined 207 Republicans to ban the State Dept. from citing the Ministry's stats.
Now, even Israel accepts them — perhaps because they realize what is feared: the toll is even higher.
January 29, 2026 at 4:19 PM
NEW: The Israeli military today accepted the Gaza Health Ministry's estimate of 70,000+ killed.
But in 2024, 62 Dems joined 207 Republicans to ban the State Dept. from citing the Ministry's stats.
Now, even Israel accepts them — perhaps because they realize what is feared: the toll is even higher.
But in 2024, 62 Dems joined 207 Republicans to ban the State Dept. from citing the Ministry's stats.
Now, even Israel accepts them — perhaps because they realize what is feared: the toll is even higher.
Had a conversation with a former colleague of Matthew Goodwin a while ago, out on the academic circuit.
When I asked about why Matt had flipped from writing books that were critical of populism, to producing right-wing anti-immigration videos, their response was:
'He's making a bid for politics'.
When I asked about why Matt had flipped from writing books that were critical of populism, to producing right-wing anti-immigration videos, their response was:
'He's making a bid for politics'.
Matthew Goodwin hopes to make the transition from being a former academic to elected politics by standing for Reform in the Gorton & Denton by-election.
It sounds like he will be making his "Trump is right" case about civilisational erasure to the Greater Manchester constituency's voters
It sounds like he will be making his "Trump is right" case about civilisational erasure to the Greater Manchester constituency's voters
January 27, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Had a conversation with a former colleague of Matthew Goodwin a while ago, out on the academic circuit.
When I asked about why Matt had flipped from writing books that were critical of populism, to producing right-wing anti-immigration videos, their response was:
'He's making a bid for politics'.
When I asked about why Matt had flipped from writing books that were critical of populism, to producing right-wing anti-immigration videos, their response was:
'He's making a bid for politics'.
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
5/ See also : 'The Problems of Banning Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain', @mcneilwillson.bsky.social, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, JAN 26, 2024:
icct.nl/publication/...
icct.nl/publication/...
The Problems of Banning Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain
On 19th January 2024, the ban on the Islamic activist group Hizb ut-Tahrir (the ‘Party of Liberation’ or HT) came into effect in the UK and, overnight, the group became a designated terrorist organisa...
icct.nl
January 20, 2026 at 11:44 AM
5/ See also : 'The Problems of Banning Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain', @mcneilwillson.bsky.social, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, JAN 26, 2024:
icct.nl/publication/...
icct.nl/publication/...
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
My Sheffield colleagues are locked out for not mitigating strike action and doing the teaching they haven’t been paid for, please donate to @sheffielducu.bsky.social if you can spare a few quid: www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 21, 2026 at 2:23 PM
My Sheffield colleagues are locked out for not mitigating strike action and doing the teaching they haven’t been paid for, please donate to @sheffielducu.bsky.social if you can spare a few quid: www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
The Left have consistently pointed out that the US represents a threat to us all since at least the 1960s.
In response, liberals derided the Left as loonies, communists, and as 'unserious'.
Congrats to liberals everywhere on finally figuring this out - now that the US threatens White people too.
In response, liberals derided the Left as loonies, communists, and as 'unserious'.
Congrats to liberals everywhere on finally figuring this out - now that the US threatens White people too.
January 21, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The Left have consistently pointed out that the US represents a threat to us all since at least the 1960s.
In response, liberals derided the Left as loonies, communists, and as 'unserious'.
Congrats to liberals everywhere on finally figuring this out - now that the US threatens White people too.
In response, liberals derided the Left as loonies, communists, and as 'unserious'.
Congrats to liberals everywhere on finally figuring this out - now that the US threatens White people too.
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
What chances do comedy and satire have when these are actual headlines?!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Trump appoints Blair, Kushner and Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’
White House says seven-strong board, chaired by Trump, will steer Gaza through next phase of reconstruction
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:26 AM
What chances do comedy and satire have when these are actual headlines?!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
'racism is moral, white men are emasculated, violence is necessary'
concise statement of core fascist values
concise statement of core fascist values
January 8, 2026 at 2:27 PM
'racism is moral, white men are emasculated, violence is necessary'
concise statement of core fascist values
concise statement of core fascist values
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
Worth remembering:
January 8, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Worth remembering:
Suffragettes held hunger strikes for basic rights
Irish held hunger strikes for basic rights
Palestinian activists on hunger strikes for basic rights
A century, the same British violence.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/1/8/palestine-action-hunger-strikers-near-death-intent-on-continuing-protests
Irish held hunger strikes for basic rights
Palestinian activists on hunger strikes for basic rights
A century, the same British violence.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/1/8/palestine-action-hunger-strikers-near-death-intent-on-continuing-protests
Palestine Action hunger strikers near death ‘intent’ on continuing protests
Prisoners remaining on rolling hunger strike are suffering with dangerous symptoms, loved ones and a doctor say.
www.aljazeera.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Suffragettes held hunger strikes for basic rights
Irish held hunger strikes for basic rights
Palestinian activists on hunger strikes for basic rights
A century, the same British violence.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/1/8/palestine-action-hunger-strikers-near-death-intent-on-continuing-protests
Irish held hunger strikes for basic rights
Palestinian activists on hunger strikes for basic rights
A century, the same British violence.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/1/8/palestine-action-hunger-strikers-near-death-intent-on-continuing-protests
It’s absolutely deranged that the BBC - an organisation Trump is currently suing for billions of UK taxpayer pounds - seems to be holding a brainstorming session for how the US Government can invade Greenland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How could Donald Trump 'take' Greenland?
The White House says it is considering a range of options to acquire the island, including deploying the military.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 10:21 PM
It’s absolutely deranged that the BBC - an organisation Trump is currently suing for billions of UK taxpayer pounds - seems to be holding a brainstorming session for how the US Government can invade Greenland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This UK Government is so spineless.
Won’t condemn genocide.
Won’t condemn US abduction of Venezuelan president.
Supports pirate raids off the coast of Scotland.
Starmer - the human rights lawyer - shows zero regard for human rights and international law.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Won’t condemn genocide.
Won’t condemn US abduction of Venezuelan president.
Supports pirate raids off the coast of Scotland.
Starmer - the human rights lawyer - shows zero regard for human rights and international law.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says
John Healey confirms RAF provided extra surveillance and navy refuelling while capture under way
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:23 PM
This UK Government is so spineless.
Won’t condemn genocide.
Won’t condemn US abduction of Venezuelan president.
Supports pirate raids off the coast of Scotland.
Starmer - the human rights lawyer - shows zero regard for human rights and international law.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Won’t condemn genocide.
Won’t condemn US abduction of Venezuelan president.
Supports pirate raids off the coast of Scotland.
Starmer - the human rights lawyer - shows zero regard for human rights and international law.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
I don’t have a hot take on US imperial aggression in Venezuela because it’s not new - it’s standard US behaviour.
The US has toppled regimes in South America for decades and decimated Iraq on made-up charges for access to oil.
None of this is new or novel; it’s well-practiced US imperialism.
The US has toppled regimes in South America for decades and decimated Iraq on made-up charges for access to oil.
None of this is new or novel; it’s well-practiced US imperialism.
January 5, 2026 at 7:49 AM
I don’t have a hot take on US imperial aggression in Venezuela because it’s not new - it’s standard US behaviour.
The US has toppled regimes in South America for decades and decimated Iraq on made-up charges for access to oil.
None of this is new or novel; it’s well-practiced US imperialism.
The US has toppled regimes in South America for decades and decimated Iraq on made-up charges for access to oil.
None of this is new or novel; it’s well-practiced US imperialism.
Just as Denmark seizes the jewellery of asylum seekers, so the UK now seizes their phones.
The most vulnerable, far from home, will lose the lifeline to their families and their means for managing in a new place.
UK Government cruelty to woo far-right voters.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
The most vulnerable, far from home, will lose the lifeline to their families and their means for managing in a new place.
UK Government cruelty to woo far-right voters.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK’s plans to seize asylum seekers’ phones condemned by campaigners
People who are sent to Manston processing centre will be eligible for searches for electronic devices from Monday
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Just as Denmark seizes the jewellery of asylum seekers, so the UK now seizes their phones.
The most vulnerable, far from home, will lose the lifeline to their families and their means for managing in a new place.
UK Government cruelty to woo far-right voters.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
The most vulnerable, far from home, will lose the lifeline to their families and their means for managing in a new place.
UK Government cruelty to woo far-right voters.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Our First Footing. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr!
January 1, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Our First Footing. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr!
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
No idea who Laurent Brindeau is, but isn’t this caricature of @zackpolanski.bsky.social in today’s @dailymailpolitics.bsky.social ragingly antisemitic?
December 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
No idea who Laurent Brindeau is, but isn’t this caricature of @zackpolanski.bsky.social in today’s @dailymailpolitics.bsky.social ragingly antisemitic?
The case of Alaa abd el-Fattah shows the pernicious racism at the heart of the British state.
UK politicians lining up to strip dual citizens of their passports, saying that being tortured in Egyptian prisons is okay actually if you’re not the right sort of immigrant.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK politicians lining up to strip dual citizens of their passports, saying that being tortured in Egyptian prisons is okay actually if you’re not the right sort of immigrant.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Egyptian dissident should be deported from UK, say Tories - BBC News
Alaa Abdel Fattah flew to the UK on Friday after a travel ban imposed by Cairo was lifted.
www.bbc.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The case of Alaa abd el-Fattah shows the pernicious racism at the heart of the British state.
UK politicians lining up to strip dual citizens of their passports, saying that being tortured in Egyptian prisons is okay actually if you’re not the right sort of immigrant.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK politicians lining up to strip dual citizens of their passports, saying that being tortured in Egyptian prisons is okay actually if you’re not the right sort of immigrant.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
"AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more."
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
December 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more."
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
Denmark’s approach to migration has been beholden to far-right parties for decades.
This is the country that confiscated Syrian refugees’ jewellery when they arrived in Denmark - just as they did to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
This is the model wanted by the UK Labour Party.
This is the country that confiscated Syrian refugees’ jewellery when they arrived in Denmark - just as they did to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
This is the model wanted by the UK Labour Party.
November 14, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Denmark’s approach to migration has been beholden to far-right parties for decades.
This is the country that confiscated Syrian refugees’ jewellery when they arrived in Denmark - just as they did to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
This is the model wanted by the UK Labour Party.
This is the country that confiscated Syrian refugees’ jewellery when they arrived in Denmark - just as they did to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
This is the model wanted by the UK Labour Party.
Denmark’s approach to migration is almost entirely beholden to far-right parties, so it makes sense that UK Labour have decided to copy them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit asylum seekers to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Denmark’s approach to migration is almost entirely beholden to far-right parties, so it makes sense that UK Labour have decided to copy them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
November 14, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
This weekend is the LAST WEEKEND for #BISA2026 conference submissions! 🚨
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This weekend is the LAST WEEKEND for #BISA2026 conference submissions! 🚨
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions 🎉
Make sure to submit your papers now 👉 https://conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
VisitBrighton Simon Rushton @julietdryden.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard McNeil-Willson
We’ve met with Greta Thunberg and others in the flotilla. They describe hours-long scenes of torture and sexual harassment in Israeli captivity. Experts conclude that they have been subjected to serious crimes – Sweden’s foreign minister believes they have themselves to blame.
tinyurl.se/crR
tinyurl.se/crR
Greta Thunberg: “They kicked me every time the flag touched my face”
– Greta Thunberg on her days in Israeli captivity Beating, kicking, and threats of being gassed in cages. Greta Thunberg and several others from the flotilla ar
www.aftonbladet.se
October 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
We’ve met with Greta Thunberg and others in the flotilla. They describe hours-long scenes of torture and sexual harassment in Israeli captivity. Experts conclude that they have been subjected to serious crimes – Sweden’s foreign minister believes they have themselves to blame.
tinyurl.se/crR
tinyurl.se/crR