The British branch of the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) held a summer school over the May bank holiday that attracted more than 100 participants, during which some attendees chanted slogans opposing Zionism and calling for an Arab revolution. The event, which takes place biennially, focused on discussions regarding recent developments in the Middle East, the state of the Palestine movement in Britain, and the role of diaspora youth in advancing Palestinian national liberation efforts.
PYM describes itself as a grassroots organization dedicated to mobilizing Palestinian and Arab youth in pursuit of Palestinian liberation, drawing ideological inspiration from Palestinian revolutionary history and advocating for the liberation of land “from the river to the sea.” Videos shared on the group’s Instagram account showed large gatherings of young people chanting phrases such as “we will crush Zionism” and “young people, rise up.” One image also depicted participants viewing a slideshow featuring a quote from Ghassan Kanafani, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who served as spokesperson at the time of the 1972 Lod Airport attack.
The event has drawn criticism due to concerns about the possible radicalization of youth under the auspices of political education. Observers noted that a PYM football tournament held in support of Palestinian territories the previous month featured a coach wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “48, the future is decolonial.” Additionally, only two players wore numbered jerseys, bearing the numbers “10” and “7,” which some interpreted as a potential reference to the October 7, 2023, terror attack.
Israel considers the PYM to have close ties to the PFLP and Samidoun, both designated as terrorist organizations by the Israeli government. A 2019 French court ruling referenced a 2015 French intelligence report in which the Palestinian Youth Movement was described as affiliated with the PFLP. Further scrutiny has been directed at a 2025 study series jointly sponsored by PYM and the People’s Forum, which included a two-part article that expressed support for what it termed “resistance to Israel” and was seen as minimizing the October 7 attack.
Beyond the United Kingdom, PYM has also been active in the United States, featuring prominently in the anti-Israel and anti-Zionist movement alongside groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Since the October 7 attack, PYM has co-sponsored over 450 rallies across the U.S. highlighting opposition to Israeli policies. On October 8, 2023, they co-hosted a demonstration in New York City with the Party for Socialism and Liberation where some speakers praised Hamas’s actions during the attack. The group’s activities continue to draw both support from Palestinian activists and condemnation from governments and organizations concerned about links to designated terrorist groups and promotion of violence.