Summary:
- Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine’s account was frozen by Virgin Money, disrupting humanitarian aid efforts.
- Virgin Money has not publicly explained the account freeze.
- Part of a broader trend of financial restrictions on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK and across Europe.
- The freeze comes amid rising UK political tensions around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Palestine Action may be designated a terrorist group by the UK government, raising civil liberties concerns.
- Similar patterns of financial and political suppression have been reported in Germany and the US.
The bank account of Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP), a UK-based group that supports Palestinian causes and delivers humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been frozen by Virgin Money — now part of Nationwide. The group first disclosed the move in a public statement, describing it as a sudden and unexplained action that has severely disrupted their ability to provide essential assistance.
“Our bank account has been frozen,” the group wrote on social media. “This means we are unable to transfer thousands of pounds of vital aid to Palestine.” According to GMFP, the decision came without prior warning or explanation. Virgin Money has not issued a public statement on the matter.
The development is the latest in a series of measures targeting pro-Palestine organisations operating in the UK and across Europe. While details remain limited, rights groups and campaigners say such financial restrictions form part of a wider strategy to curtail activism in solidarity with Palestinians.
Netpol, the Network for Police Monitoring, noted the GMFP case in its analysis of what it describes as “growing financial censorship” of civil society groups. “When platform access is quietly taken away from political organisations, it creates a chilling atmosphere for dissent,” the group stated.
The freezing of GMFP’s account follows heightened political tension in the UK surrounding the conflict in Gaza and the broader Israeli–Palestinian issue. In early 2024, the International Court of Justice issued a ruling confirming the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied territories. In response, a cross-party group of 112 Members of Parliament signed a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging the UK government to take concrete steps in line with international law — including ending material support that might contribute to the occupation.
Domestic political measures have also attracted attention in this context. The UK government has recently taken steps toward proscribing Palestine Action — a group known for its direct-action protests against weapons manufacturers — as a terrorist organisation. In a statement responding to the move, Manaal Siddiqui, a spokesperson for Palestine Action, said the approach “is genuinely terrifying for anyone who cares about civil liberties in the UK.” She added, “This represents a draconian move to suppress protest that challenges the status quo.”
While Palestine Action’s legal status is still under deliberation, the potential for criminalisation raises questions about the scope of lawful political protest in Britain. Campaigners warn that a terrorism designation could effectively outlaw non-violent civil disobedience and pave the way for further financial crackdowns.
Internationally, the debate around pro-Palestinian advocacy has also intensified. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, had her assets frozen by the United States earlier this year. Albanese has been a vocal critic of Israeli policies and had previously called for accountability measures.
The GMFP case may not be isolated. Since October 2023, activists in Germany have reported similar patterns — including surveillance, raids, and frozen bank accounts — particularly after global protests erupted over the conflict in Gaza. Although each jurisdiction differs, analysts argue these actions reflect coordinated governmental responses to pro-Palestine mobilisation.
The trend has also been linked by some observers to shifting geopolitical alliances and ideological movements. The Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025”, a policy roadmap backed by segments of the American conservative establishment, has recently expanded its outreach beyond the US. Kevin Roberts, the foundation’s president, has met with far-right politicians in France and Italy in what he described as a “global conservative realignment.” Critics say these ties may influence initiatives in Europe that seek to curtail dissenting voices, especially on contentious international issues like Palestine.
At the time of writing, no formal statement has been made by UK financial regulators or law enforcement agencies regarding the account freeze affecting GMFP. The group has called on allies, lawmakers, and the public to demand transparency and restore access to the funds earmarked for humanitarian aid.
Background:
Here is how this event developed over time:
- October 7, 2023 – A Hamas attack on Israel prompts increased scrutiny and crackdowns on pro-Palestine groups in Western countries, including financial restrictions targeting activists.
- Early 2024 – Activists across Europe begin reporting account freezes and surveillance; Germany leads with aggressive measures against Palestinian solidarity groups.
- May–June 2025 – Palestine Action intensifies its campaign against UK-based arms manufacturers, including sabotage actions against Elbit Systems and RAF Brize Norton, causing millions in damage.
- July 5, 2025 – The UK government officially proscribes Palestine Action as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act 2000, citing national security risks and property damage.
- Mid-July 2025 – Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP) announces that its bank account has been frozen by Virgin Money (now part of Nationwide), halting its ability to send humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Late July 2025 – UN human rights experts publicly condemn the UK’s listing of Palestine Action as a terrorist group, warning it infringes on civil liberties and misapplies counterterrorism laws.
- July–August 2025 – UK civil society organizations document growing restrictions on pro-Palestine activism, highlighting GMFP’s account freeze as part of a wider pattern of financial obstruction.