‘Plead guilty before knowing the crime.’
That’s what an English judge told Yael Kahn – an Israeli anti-Zionist activist – during a surreal court appearance at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
In this interview, Yael recounts how she was urged to enter a guilty plea before even being told what she was charged with. When her solicitor asked for the case to be dismissed due to lack of disclosure, the judge refused – and insisted the case would proceed, with herself presiding.
The alleged offence? Unclear. The only known accusation relates to Yael referring to ‘Nazi Israel’ in a speech – a statement now being used to justify criminal proceedings, likely under pressure from groups such as UK Lawyers for Israel. But even that has not been confirmed as the formal charge.
What unfolds in this conversation is a shocking glimpse into the erosion of free speech, the misuse of legal process to silence dissent and the weaponisation of vague accusations to intimidate activists.
Yael’s calm, principled resistance stands in stark contrast to the Kafkaesque absurdity of the system she’s up against.
This is a must-watch interview for anyone concerned about civil liberties, political policing or the criminalisation of Palestine solidarity.