Dozens Detained at Westminster Protest Over Banned Palestine Action Group

Download IPFS

In a show of force outside Parliament on Saturday, police arrested 55 individuals during a rally in support of the recently proscribed group, Palestine Action. In a show of force outside Parliament on Saturday, police arrested at least 55 individuals during a rally in support of the group Palestine Action, which was recently designated a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UK government. The arrests were made under counter-terrorism legislation following the government’s formal designation of the group as a terrorist organisation earlier this month.

The demonstration, held in Parliament Square, saw attendees carrying placards endorsing Palestine Action and wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves, as they called for the reversal of the ban. According to the Metropolitan Police, officers issued multiple warnings before detaining those who defied the prohibition. The arrests were carried out under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which criminalises expressions of support for proscribed organisations.

Palestine Action has garnered notoriety in recent years for its direct-action campaigns targeting defence manufacturers and companies supplying military equipment to Israel. The tipping point for the government’s decision to ban the group came after members broke into a Royal Air Force (RAF) facility and vandalised aircraft, a move seen as both unlawful and dangerous. The tipping point for the government’s decision to ban the group came after members allegedly broke into a site associated with the defence sector and caused damage, a move described by officials as unlawful and dangerous. Under the new designation, any form of association with the group, including public support, could carry a prison term of up to 14 years.

While critics of the ban have labelled the move “authoritarian,” citing concerns over civil liberties, supporters argue that public safety and national security must remain paramount. The group has confirmed that it will challenge the government’s decision in the High Court on Monday, a legal test that could attract significant attention.

The Home Office has defended the ban as a necessary response to escalating actions that threaten critical infrastructure and public order. Meanwhile, police forces across the UK have been instructed to monitor and respond to further shows of support for the group under the updated legal framework.

The demonstration in London is part of a broader pattern of unrest linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with tensions increasingly spilling over into British streets. The government’s firm stance reflects a growing emphasis on curbing domestic extremism, particularly when it manifests through disruptive or violent protest activity.

While the legal challenge proceeds, the message from authorities remains clear: violations of anti-terror legislation will be met with decisive action.