Rona Topaz

Every now and then, whilst watching the demise of this awful so called Labour government, I remember how they trashed the hope Corbyn gave to hundreds of thousands of people — just to deliver us this complete and utter shitshow.

PERSONAL STATEMENT: 6 years ago my partner of 40 years was diagnosed with early onset dementia. She had to give up work, although she was able to maintain a level of independence for a time. This left me able to lead PSC in its response to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. However her condition has deteriorated and I am no longer able to give the full time I need to the role of PSC Director. That job is too important to be done by someone who cannot devote the time required to fulfil its responsibilities in full. With sadness I have made the decision to resign. As many of you know, I am appealing against the outrageous conviction I received alongside Chris Nineham of Stop the War Coalition for leading the peaceful protest on January 18th 2024. The date for our appeal was confirmed yesterday as being December 14th. I will ensure that I am able to devote the time required to enable a successful appeal, and PSC will continue to fully support that process. I'm proud of the work that PSC - through its outstanding staff team and network of now over 100 branches - has done to build the campaign for Palestinian rights in the UK, in the past 10 years, becoming Europe's largest Palestine solidarity organisation. The movement for Palestinian liberation has been and will remain the cause of my life, and I hope and intend to be able to continue to remain active in support of it. However right now, my priority has to be my family alongside my court appeal.