Summary
- UK police arrested 150 pro-Palestinian protesters.
- Arrests at Parliament Square, London, on Saturday.
- Palestine Action group recently banned under Terrorism Act.
- Protesters displayed support for a banned activist group.
- Arrests part of crackdown on banned group supporters.
Officers reportedly stepped in after spotting signs endorsing the group, which Parliament classified a terrorist organization in July, according to the Metropolitan Police. Police wrote on X.
"Officers have moved in and are making arrests."
The prohibition restricts freedom of expression, according to Palestine Action supporters who assembled in Parliament Square on Saturday.
“I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,”
read some of the signs.
The group Defend Our Juries said on its website:
“Once the meaning of ‘terrorism’ is separated from campaigns of violence against a civilian population, and extended to include those causing economic damage or embarrassment… then the right to freedom of expression has no meaning.”
After activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June and damaged two tanker planes with crowbars and red paint, the UK government outlawed Palestine Action. In the past, the group has targeted locations associated with Israel's military.
According to the BBC, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claimed that 11 more people, including 98 children, had perished from malnutrition, increasing the total to 212.
Additionally, the ministry reported that throughout the last 24 hours, Israeli military activity has resulted in at least 38 fatalities and 491 injuries. The UN warns of famine conditions and claims that aid entering Gaza is "far below the minimum required."
Israel disputes that there is famine in Gaza and blames UN organizations for taking too long to gather and distribute aid.
What caused the recent surge in arrests during London protests supporting Palestine Action?
The recent surge in arrests during London protests supporting Palestine Action was caused by the UK government's ban on Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. Palestine Action was outlawed in early July 2025 after several activists broke into a military airbase and caused significant damage to aircraft used to refuel Israeli jets.
Supporting or expressing support for this group in public, including holding signs or wearing clothing endorsing them, is now a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Police have made hundreds of arrests at multiple demonstrations since the ban, including at a large protest in Parliament Square where at least 200 people were detained for holding placards and chanting in support of Palestine Action.