Paul Weller has threatened to sue his former accountants because they refused to work for him after his statements accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The former Jam frontman, 67, threatened a discrimination claim against Harris & Trotter, which had worked with him for more than 30 years.
In a pre-action letter, his legal representatives said Weller was told in March that accountants and tax advisers at Harris & Trotter would no longer work with him or for his companies.
The refusal came almost a year after the firm was said to have reassured Weller that its client funds were not being used to support Israel after he had expressed concerns.
According to the letter, a partner at the firm said in a text to Weller: “It’s well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide.
“Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views.”
He added: “Genocide is what happened in Germany being their desire to rid Europe of its Jews. This is not the intention of Israel in Gaza, in fact it is the other way round. Hamas have been clear they want the extinction of Israel. There is never any mention of the slaughter that took place on October 7th or the taking of hostages.”
According to the letter, Weller responded 15 minutes later, telling the partner, “I’m not prepared to work with people that support genocide so suits me fine”, to which the partner said that he did not support genocide and the only party committing genocidal acts were Hamas.
The singer then said: “No, you’re either complicit or stupid to what’s going on there. Let’s leave it at that.”
Lawyers for Weller claim that by withdrawing their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer’s protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a state.
Palestinians leave a bombarded part of Gaza City, which Israel plans to invade
AHMED AL-ARINI/ANADOLU/GETTY IMAGES
The letter states that Weller’s “deeply held and non-negotiable belief that the State of Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza” was a “central part” of his moral and philosophical worldview.
Weller said: “I’ve always spoken out against injustice, whether it’s apartheid, ethnic cleansing or genocide. What’s happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe. I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out.
“Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship, it’s complicity. I’m taking legal action not just for myself but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people.”
Weller has a long history of political activism. In the 1980s he was routinely photographed wearing the badge of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He took part in Band Aid and released Soul Deep, a song in support of striking miners. Weller held a concert in support of Jeremy Corbyn in 2016, when he was Labour leader.
Weller, centre, joined stars including Bob Geldof, Robert “Kool” Bell, Phil Collins and Bono for Band Aid in 1984
BRIAN ARIS/BAND AID/PA
In May, Weller signed an open letter backing the Belfast rap trio Kneecap, saying they were being subjected to a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” them. At a concert in November he dedicated his song My Ever Changing Moods to the people of Gaza, “who have undergone slaughter and genocide”.
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The legal letter states that Weller intends to donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza. Israel has killed nearly 62,000 Palestinians since the Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
This month, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada and Japan issued a statement saying that “famine is unfolding in front of our eyes” and urged action to “reverse starvation” in Gaza. They demanded “immediate, permanent and concrete steps” to facilitate the entry of aid to Gaza. Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza and has accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it.
Cormac McDonough of Hodge Jones & Allen, representing Weller, said the case reflected “a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights”. He added: “Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza.”
Harris & Trotter has been contacted for comment.