A British emergency physician who spent weeks volunteering on a medical mission to Gaza has told Al Jazeera he is deeply concerned by the UK government’s proscription of a pro-Palestine direct action group under anti-terrorism legislation.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from London, James Smith said the move was hugely concerning to the large numbers of people who were moved to speak out about the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza.

“[I’m] deeply worried about the ways in which the UK government is seeking to suppress any sort of pro-Palestinian or anti-genocide sentiment,” he said.

“It’s the public who are speaking up in opposition to Israel’s genocide and it’s the public that are being silenced.”