From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Musician Paul Weller sues accounting firm that stopped working with him over anti-Israel views
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
British musician Paul Weller is suing his former accounting firm, which cut ties with him after he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, UK media reports.
According to a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, the firm Harris and Trotter sent Weller a WhatsApp message saying that “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,” the message said.
Founding partner Ronnie Harris is a senior member of the UK Jewish Leadership Council.
In the legal letter, Weller, who rose to fame as the front man of the Jam, claims that he is being discriminated against for his beliefs.
“Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship – it’s complicity,” Weller says.
“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,” he says, adding that he will donate any funds he receives as damages to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.
Israel strenuously denies accusations that it is committing genocide in Gaza where it has waged a grueling campaign to root out the Hamas terror group in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terror assault on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
The Times of Israel Community.