London’s Metropolitan Police announced on Saturday that they had arrested 41 people for publicly expressing support for Palestine Action, a group recently banned under Britain’s anti-terrorism laws, during a protest held outside the British parliament.
One additional individual was detained on suspicion of common assault.
Earlier this month, UK lawmakers formally proscribed Palestine Action after some of its activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged aircraft to protest Britain’s support for Israel.
Following last weekend’s protest in London, police had already arrested 29 demonstrators. Authorities also confirmed making arrests at a separate rally supporting Palestine Action in Manchester, while related demonstrations were held in Cardiff and Northern Ireland.
Before Saturday’s arrests, around 50 protesters gathered near the statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside parliament, holding placards with messages such as “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
The protests come amid an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza that erupted on October 7, 2023 — allegations Israel firmly rejects.
Critics of the government’s decision argue that anti-terrorism measures are inappropriate for targeting a group whose tactics mainly involve civil disobedience. Palestine Action’s campaigns have often focused on Israeli and Israel-linked businesses in the UK, such as defence firm Elbit Systems, using methods like spraying red paint, blocking entrances, or damaging property.
In an unsuccessful legal challenge against the ban, the group’s lawyer pointed out that it was the first time Britain had outlawed an organisation that primarily engages in direct action rather than violent acts.
