More than 70 people were arrested on Saturday during protests across the United Kingdom opposing the government’s recent designation of the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed that 42 individuals were detained during a demonstration outside Parliament, with 41 arrested specifically for showing support for the banned group. One additional arrest was made for common assault.
Similar protests took place in Manchester and Cardiff, where 16 and 13 arrests were reported respectively. The demonstrations involved silent gatherings under statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square, with participants holding signs reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Police conducted bag searches and escorted protesters into custody as the ban renders any membership or public support for Palestine Action a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The group was proscribed following an incident in June when activists vandalized two Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, an act claimed by Palestine Action. The ban has sparked widespread criticism from supporters who argue it suppresses legitimate protest against alleged Israeli actions in Gaza. The campaign coalition Defend Our Juries, which organized the protests, condemned the arrests and described the ban as “Orwellian,” affirming their commitment to opposing what they call genocide.
This marks the second consecutive weekend of mass arrests related to Palestine Action protests, with 29 people detained during a similar demonstration the previous week. The UK government’s move to classify Palestine Action alongside groups such as Hamas and al-Qaeda has intensified tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and raised debates about freedom of expression and national security.