On Saturday evening, two masked men carried out an arson attack on a Mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex. After failing to gain entry, they poured flammable liquid at the entrance and under a nearby car before igniting it. All the while, people were inside the building. Thankfully no one was harmed, however the community is shaken.

This was an act of terrorism without question. An act of terrorism carried out in Sussex against Muslims. It was a deliberate attempt to burn down a Mosque with Muslims inside - this is nothing less than terrorism and attempted murder. As of the time of writing, the police have yet to classify it as terrorism, instead naming it only an arson attack and a hate crime. The police’s decision to not name this as terrorism is a political decision that downplays islamophobic violence and the rising threat from fascists.

It is impossible to overlook that terrorism law has so recently been applied against those expressing support for Palestine Action, a direct action group which dismantled weapons used in israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. Such a blatant terror attack against a local Mosque has not been designated as terrorism while anti-genocide protesters simply holding signs have been. This isn’t just hypocrisy but systemic injustice. The state is swift to crush dissent that challenges its imperialist and genocidal allies abroad, while refusing to recognise terrorism against the British Muslim community at home. It demonstrates that the concept of terrorism is not an objective legal category, and that the police and government will selectively define what constitutes terrorism, based on what best suits their interests.

Meanwhile, this summer has seen a renewed public expression of English nationalism in Sussex, a politics with a long history of hate and extremism. Within the last few weeks, far right zealot Matt Goodwin has toured many Sussex towns speaking to local Reform UK branches, including Bognor, Hassocks and Eastbourne. He has gained profile recently as a host on GB News but has been building out his nationalist politics for years, even being platformed by ostensibly “left wing” outfit Novara Media in 2023. Over the weekend Goodwin cynically attempted to link anti-genocide protests to the antisemitic terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which is part of a wider reactionary attempt to conflate anti-zionism with antisemitism. He has also notably argues that only white people can be English. Goodwin’s racist and nationalist rhetoric has had the ear of many local far right activists in past few weeks. For months St George’s flags, claimed by nationalist groups such as the English Defence League, have flown from lamposts across towns in Sussex. This was part of the nationalist “Operation Raise the Colours” campaign started by EDL and Britain First members. A glance in many local Facebook groups shows many claiming the flags are their way of “taking back their country”. Talk of reclaiming Britain or England always begs the question: reclaim it from whom? This flag worship has been spurred on by Tommy Robinson, Elon Musk and many in the mainstream political parties, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper clamouring to let it be known that her home is adorned with St George’s flags and Union Jacks. The far right is actively nurtured by this, all the while the economic and social basis for Britain continues to disintegrate. The far right is propelled by Labour’s concessions in government such as Starmer’s Island of Strangers speech, his embrace of patriotism and the continuation of the Tory “stop the boats” campaign. All of which serve to further the othering of migrants, Muslims, Black and brown people.

With that backdrop, it is unfortunately little surprise that fascists are becoming emboldened to carry out attacks like last week’s arson in Peacehaven. The arson attack is a clear escalation from last year when the very same Mosque was pelted with eggs. While there is no way to draw any firm connections until more details emerge about the attackers, there is no doubt that an attack on a Mosque at this time is motivated by these politics. Across Britain there have been at least 17 attacks on Mosques this summer alone. The media and politicians have played an active role in promoting the far right politics that fuels this violence, while the government and police appease the racists by not calling it what it truly is: fascist terrorism. We must protect our communities from violence, especially those so often targeted by the state and fascists with racist violence such as the Muslim community. This violence must not become normalised.

Peacehaven Mosque is raising donations to fund repairs following the attack, please donate and show your support.