ATTORNEY General Richard Hermer KC has been diverting counterterrorism resources away from “real threats to the public,” the organisers of mass protests against the proscription of Palestine Action said today.

More than 2,000 people have been arrested for holdings signs saying that they oppose the genocide in Gaza and support the activist group since it was banned as a terrorist organisation in July.

Defend Our Juries  highlighted that Mr Hermer’s rule of law speech in May concerned the importance of international law as a defence against authoritarianism.

In a letter, the campaign group asks him: “So why are you permitting terrorism charges to be brought against those peacefully protesting against genocide and the extension of terror laws beyond their proper remit when you must know that that is a gross violation of international human rights law?”

Emphasising human rights experts’ view that the prosecution of peaceful protesters under terrorism laws is unlawful, Defend Our Juries added: “By [permitting charges to be brought], you are diverting counterterrorism resources away from protecting the public from real acts of violence, including attacks on synagogues and mosques, as right-wing demagogues stoke the fires of violence.”

The letter was sent ahead of a legal hearing concerning the role of the Attorney General in authorising terrorism charges against Lift The Ban protesters on November 11 at Westminster magistrates’ court.

A Defend Our Juries spokesperson added: “Richard Hermer KC was a highly respected human rights lawyer and a champion of international law.

“What is he doing backing terror charges against those peacefully protesting for the very things he believes in?

“It’s not too late for him to stop.”

The Attorney General’s office was contacted for comment.