Latest Updates
Antifascist activist banned from Holocaust memorial for wearing a Kufiya
An antifascist activist was expelled from the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial for wearing a Kufiya. After banning her and threatening criminal charges, the memorial foundation defended the decision in court by claiming the Kufiya is linked to anti-Jewish positions. The ELSC is challenging this decision and fighting to have the ban declared unlawful.Palestinian Symbols Banned at Holocaust Memorial Site Buchenwald, Germany
In a new legal case, the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) is defending an antifascist activist’s right to commemorate at Holocaust memorial site Buchenwald, after she was banned and threatened with a criminal complaint by the memorial’s administration for wearing a Kufiya. This case challenges the criminalisation of Palestinian symbols and the role of memorial and cultural institutions in the repression of Palestine solidarity. ELSC Partner lawyer Roland Meister has filed a complaint at the Weimar Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgericht Weimar), against the Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation on behalf of antifascist activist Anna M. The complaint challenges a ban imposed on Anna M. from entering the memorial site, which violates fundamental democratic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the German Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFREU).- 02/17/2026
ELSC Submits Objection Against Dutch Government’s Proposal to Ban Face Coverings at Demonstrations
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) has submitted an objection to a bill from the Dutch government that aims to prohibit face coverings at demonstrations. If implemented, the law will endanger protestors mobilising against the Dutch government’s complicity in genocide and settler colonialism in Palestine. The ELSC encourages everyone, both residents and organisations in the Netherlands, to submit objections to this latest attempt to suppress dissent. This can be done via the public consultation portal until Sunday, 22 February 2026. 
Employment Tribunal Rules Against Claim of Discrimination against Two Muslim Employees in Lloyds Bank but Reinforces Anti-Zionism as a Protected Belief
While the Tribunal ultimately found in favour of Lloyds Bank on the facts of this case, it delivered a significant and far-reaching clarification of the law by reaffirming that anti-Zionism can constitute a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010, provided the legal criteria are met. The Tribunal confirmed that such beliefs can be “worthy of respect in a democratic society”, reinforcing an established and growing body of Employment Tribunal decisions recognising the legal protection afforded to anti-Zionist beliefs.Vacancy: Junior Legal Officer – the Netherlands
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) is hiring a Junior Legal Officer in the Netherlands. This role offers a unique opportunity to support strategic litigation defending Palestine solidarity and to qualify as a lawyer under supervision of PILP.- 01/14/2026
Job Opening: Advocacy & Campaign Manager – Europe
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) is hiring an Advocacy & Campaign Manager – Europe to develop and implement advocacy and communication strategies, build campaigns around key legal cases, and engage with activists and partners across Europe. The position is based in Italy, with the possibility of remote working within Europe. Applications close on 4 February 2026. Da Gaza a Bologna. Il caso di un ricercatore di UniBo nel mirino di soldati ed ex soldati dell’esercito israeliano all’Università di Bologna
All’Università di Bologna, un ricercatore RTT è stato colpito da un procedimento disciplinare – con censura scritta e blocco della carriera – per aver indossato la kufya, partecipato a uno sciopero bianco e denunciato il genocidio in Palestina. A partire da segnalazioni diffamatorie di studentɜ-soldatɜ dell’esercito israeliano, il caso mostra come UniBo scelga di proteggere chi è coinvolto nel massacro del popolo palestinese e di sanzionare chi esprime solidarietà. ELSC e USB stanno ora intervenendo per difendere il ricercatore e portare il caso in sede legale.
Legal Victory – Judge overrules Amsterdam Municipality’s Ban on Protest at Concert Hall
English Below Gezamenlijk persbericht UPDATE: Overwinning – Rechter fluit gemeente Amsterdam terug na verbod op protest bij Concertgebouw AMSTERDAM, 12 DECEMBER 2025 – De rechtbank in Amsterdam heeft vandaag bepaald dat anti-genocide demonstranten bij de ingang van het Concertgebouw mogen protesteren tegen het optreden van luitenant-kolonel Shai Abramson, de hoofdcantor van het Israëlische leger. Hiermee…- 11/25/2025
Where do we find hope? A letter from ELSC’s Executive Director
2025 has been a year of immense challenge and unwavering solidarity. Amid an unrelenting genocide in Gaza and escalating repression across Europe, our work at the ELSC has grown stronger, more urgent, and more necessary than ever. From historic mobilisations like the general strike in Italy, to our legal victories across Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and beyond, we continue to defend those standing for justice — and confront the systems that enable Israel’s violence. This hope, this strength, comes from you. As we look toward 2026, we are expanding our capacity to resist—and we ask for your support in our End of Year campaign.
