A protest took place in London against the UK government’s
ban on Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist group known for direct
action against arms manufacturers. The ban, imposed under anti-terrorism laws
following incidents of property damage, has sparked widespread debate over
protest rights and national security.
Details of the Protest in London
On Saturday, 4 October 2025, demonstrators gathered in
central London to protest the British government’s decision to ban the activist
group Palestine Action. The protest included speeches, chants, and placards as
supporters expressed their opposition to what they describe as an unjustified
restriction on their right to protest. According to Reuters reporters at the
scene, police intervened during the gathering, arresting six people who
displayed support for the banned group and carrying away protesters amid calls
to cancel the event following a recent deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue.
Protestors denounced the government’s ban as a suppression of legitimate political activism. One demonstrator told Reuters,
“The government is conflating peaceful protest with terrorism to silence voices supporting Palestinian rights.”
The atmosphere was tense but remained largely peaceful,
with participants emphasising their commitment to non-violent advocacy despite
the legal constraints.
Background on the Palestine Action Ban
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, is a British
pro-Palestinian direct action network. The group targets British companies
linked to Israeli arms manufacturing and military contracts. It has been
involved in protests, occupations, and acts of property damage aimed at
disrupting the UK arms industry, which it accuses of complicity in human rights
abuses in Palestine.
The UK government outlawed Palestine Action on 5 July 2025
under the Terrorism Act 2000, classifying the group alongside neo-Nazi
organizations like Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement. This
decision followed incidents involving break-ins and vandalism at RAF Brize Norton,
a key military airbase, where members of the group had allegedly caused several
million pounds worth of damage to aircraft. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
announced the proscription after parliamentary approval, citing clear
intelligence of criminal activity and risks to security.
Legal Challenges and Debate
The ban has sparked controversy and legal challenges. Huda
Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, received permission from London's High
Court in late July 2025 to legally challenge the proscription. As reported by
BBC News and Al Jazeera, the court ruled that the ban might infringe on rights
to freedom of expression and protest. Mr Justice Chamberlain stated that the
Home Secretary should have consulted the group before imposing the ban,
underscoring the potential chilling effect on legitimate political discourse.
While the government defends the ban as necessary to prevent
criminal behaviour and protect public safety, legal experts and human rights
advocates warn of disproportionate measures. They argue the ban conflates
peaceful protest and civil disobedience with terrorism, potentially curbing
democratic freedoms. The High Court ruling did not suspend the ban, which
remains in force while the legal scrutiny continues, with a full review
expected in November 2025.
Government’s Justification and Intelligence Assessment
In a statement cited by The New York Times, Security
Minister Dan Jarvis articulated the government’s position, proclaiming the
decision based on “clear advice and intelligence” indicating that Palestine
Action engages in “intimidation and persistent criminal damage.” Jarvis
asserted that the group uses violence to pursue its objectives, remarking that
members and supporters might not always be aware of the full extent of its
actions.
However, a declassified UK intelligence assessment published
in September 2025 undercut some of government’s claims. The report indicated
that the majority of Palestine Action’s activities—such as graffiti, minor
vandalism, and sit-ins—would not legally constitute terrorism under UK law.
This intelligence assessment therefore raised questions about the scope and
basis of the government’s proscription decision, highlighting a divergence
between the government’s public statements and classified legal analysis.
Civil Liberties and International Reactions
The ban has drawn criticism from civil liberties
organisations, UN human rights experts, and cultural figures in the UK. The
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
described the use of terrorism legislation against Palestine Action as a
“disturbing misuse” that risks criminalising legitimate protest. British
lawyers and NGOs have voiced concerns about the impact of the ban on free
speech and assembly rights.
The grouping of Palestine Action with far-right extremist
groups in the same proscription legislation raised eyebrows, with some MPs and
Lords describing the move as politically motivated and “sneaky.” Critics argue
that this legislative bundling increased parliamentary pressure to approve the
ban without sufficient debate or differentiation between the groups.
Domestically, the Home Office acknowledged in internal
documents that proscribing Palestine Action was likely to provoke tensions
within the UK, particularly among Muslim and Palestinian communities, and could
affect social cohesion.
Palestine Action’s Activism and Methods
Since its formation, Palestine Action has targeted British
sites associated with Israeli arms manufacturing and military operations. Their
campaigns have included occupations of factories linked to Elbit Systems, an
Israeli defence contractor, and disruptions at RAF Brize Norton, one of the
UK’s main military airbases.
The group employs direct action tactics such as spraying red
paint on buildings, obstructing entrances, and in some cases, acts of
vandalism. These tactics have led to arrests and legal cases. Protestors argue
that their activities raise awareness of the UK’s alleged complicity in Israeli
human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank.
Wider Impact and Continuing Developments
The banning of Palestine Action and subsequent protests
reveal broader tensions in the UK public and political spheres over the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The issue has sparked debates on national
security, anti-terrorism measures, and civil liberties.
Security forces continue to monitor protests closely. In
recent weeks, hundreds of arrests have taken place for showing support for
Palestine Action, including cases where individuals were detained for carrying
placards or wearing symbolic clothing. These arrests have prompted concerns
over policing and the treatment of political activists.
The legal case filed by Palestine Action’s leadership is ongoing, with a full judicial review slated to take place later this year. Meanwhile, public demonstrations persist in London and other cities, ensuring that the controversy remains a prominent issue in UK politics and media.