In London, police detained at least 466 demonstrators at a Palestine Action protest, marking what campaigners describe as the largest mass arrest in the city’s history. The protest, held at Parliament Square on Saturday, was organised in defiance of the UK government’s July decision to ban the activist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Participants held placards reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” denouncing both the ban and Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests were for “showing support for Palestine Action,” while eight others were detained for separate offences, including assaulting officers. Critics say the crackdown highlights a disturbing erosion of democratic rights and aims to silence dissent against UK policy on Gaza.
The ban on Palestine Action came shortly after members of the group staged a break-in at the RAF Brize Norton airbase in June, where they damaged two military aircraft. The UK Home Office claims the group poses a terrorism threat, but UN human rights experts and civil liberties advocates argue the designation is “unjustified” and that the group’s activities amount to non-violent civil disobedience. Amnesty International and prominent academics have condemned the move, warning it could set a precedent for targeting other activist organisations. The arrests have drawn sharp criticism from politicians, including Labour MP John McDonnell, who called the police action “a disgrace” and an attack on the right to peaceful protest.
Despite the risk of imprisonment—supporting Palestine Action is now punishable by up to 14 years—hundreds of protesters have vowed to continue their campaign. Many see the arrests as evidence of the state’s willingness to curtail freedoms under the guise of security. Several high-profile academics, including Ilan Pappe and Eyal Weizman, have signed an open letter supporting the movement and rejecting what they describe as “repressive consequences” of the ban. Meanwhile, London’s High Court has granted Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori permission to pursue a judicial review, with the case expected later in 2025. Until then, tensions between protesters, police, and the UK government are set to remain high, with each rally becoming both a demonstration of solidarity and a test of Britain’s democratic boundaries.
