London, UK – At least 90 demonstrators were arrested in London on Saturday during a protest against the UK government’s ban of the group “Palestine Action” in July. The arrests occurred as activists gathered in Tavistock Square to voice their opposition to the proscription of Palestine Action, a group known for targeting companies with ties to Israel.
Protesters held signs with slogans such as “I Stand Against Genocide” and “I Support Palestine Action” before being taken into custody by law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests via a statement on social media, stating that at least 90 individuals were detained during the demonstration.
Palestine Action was founded in 2020 and gained prominence for its direct actions in Britain following the escalation of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023. The group has claimed responsibility for disrupting operations at factories and facilities linked to companies that conduct business with Israel. One notable action involved disrupting production at an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol, a facility involved in the manufacturing of drone technology.
The path towards designating Palestine Action as a proscribed organization began after an incident in June, when individuals believed to be supporters of the group breached security at RAF Brize Norton, a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. During the incident, red paint was reportedly sprayed on the engines of two military aircraft, and Palestinian flags were displayed. Those involved allegedly justified their actions by claiming the aircraft were involved in military operations in the Middle East.
In early July, both houses of the UK Parliament approved the motion to outlaw the group, leading to its official proscription on July 5th. Palestine Action subsequently filed an appeal with the High Court seeking to overturn the ban, but the appeal was rejected. The group’s designation as a proscribed organization makes membership or support of Palestine Action illegal under UK law. The situation continues to develop.
