The Keir Starmer-led government recently designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, making any form of support or affiliation with the group a criminal offence.
Outlook News Desk
Updated on: 20 July 2025
Palestine Action Group | Photo: New York Post |
At least 100 people have been arrested across the United Kingdom to protest the government’s decision of labelling Palestine Action as a terror group. Demonstrations were held in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro in support of the pro-Palestine group, organised by Defend Our Juries
55 people were arrested under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, on suspicion of terrorism offences, after they held placards in support of Palestine Action. The protest is being described as the largest ever seen in Westminster, The Indian Express reported.
The placards read “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Supporters of the outlawed group Palestine Action gathered near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at London’s Parliament Square on Saturday. Police surrounded the demonstrators, searched their bags, handcuffed several individuals and carried some away.
According to The Guardian, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that nine additional individuals were arrested for showing support for Palestine Action during a major march to Whitehall, organised by the Palestine Coalition.
In response, Defend Our Juries, said on X, stating, “The UK government is complicit in Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. They are attempting to silence those who expose this complicity.”
The Keir Starmer-led government recently designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, making any form of support or affiliation with the group a criminal offence.
UK police have arrested more than 100 people at pro-Palestine demonstrations since Palestine Action ban
Protests held in multiple cities across country as crackdown on support for proscribed group intensifies
Aysu Bicer |19.07.2025 - TRT/AA
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march past Big Ben as they march from Embankment Station during the 28th protest held since October 7, 2023, calling for an end to UK arms sales to Israel and condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza as well as crackdowns on Palestinian solidarity in the UK on July 19, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON
More than 100 people have been arrested across the UK in connection with demonstrations related to the proscribed group Palestine Action, as protests continue into a third week since the organization was designated a terrorist group by the UK government.
Protests are being held in multiple cities across the country as the crackdown on support for the banned group intensifies.
The Metropolitan Police said Saturday that 55 arrests were made in Parliament Square under the 2000 Terrorism Act after they allegedly displayed signs supporting Palestine Action.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the Met’s policing operation this weekend, said in a statement: "Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences.
"However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested."
Police officers were seen surrounding demonstrators near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where signs were held reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Officers confiscated signs, searched bags, and led some individuals away in handcuffs. Others were carried from the scene.
‘Depends on the circumstances’
“We have said before that whether chants cross the line from free speech to a potential criminal offence depends on the specific circumstances," Adelekan added.
“For example, there will be words that when chanted in the middle of the Palestine Coalition march, and not directed at individuals who might be caused harassment, alarm or distress as a result, might not lead an officer to reasonably suspect an offence has been committed," he noted.
“But directing the same words at a group of people for whom the words would very likely cause harassment, alarm or distress, could well give rise to grounds for arrest."
Demonstrations took place on Saturday in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Truro as part of a campaign coordinated by the group Defend Our Juries.
Greater Manchester Police said 16 people were arrested and remain in custody for questioning, while Avon and Somerset Police confirmed 17 arrests during a protest in Bristol.
In Cornwall, Devon and Cornwall Police said eight people were arrested at a protest held inside Truro Cathedral.
About 30 protesters had gathered for what the force described as a “peaceful” Defend Our Juries demonstration.
“A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice,” the force said. “Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.”
Police Scotland said a man was arrested in Glasgow on Friday “for displaying a sign expressing support for a proscribed organization.”
More than 70 people were arrested at similar demonstrations across the UK last week, where references to Palestine Action were allegedly made.
On X, Defend Our Juries said: “The UK government is complicit in Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. They are attempting to silence those who expose this complicity.”
- Palestine Action ban
The protest came amid renewed scrutiny of the government’s decision to ban Palestine Action, which was formally outlawed as a terrorist organization on July 5.
The group, known for its direct action campaigns targeting companies linked to the arms trade and Israel’s military, had recently made headlines after activists broke into the Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton and defaced military aircraft with spray paint.
Human rights groups have warned that the ban risks criminalizing peaceful protest and silencing dissent, while supporters of the ban argue that the group’s methods amount to unlawful and dangerous activity.
A legal challenge to the ban is expected on Monday, when the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, will ask the High Court for permission to contest it.
Human rights groups, cultural figures, and hundreds of lawyers have criticized the ban as draconian, warning it sets a dangerous precedent by conflating protest with terrorism.
‘Our spirits fly higher than F-35s’: Londoners rally again for Palestine
Police arrest 55 people in Westminster under Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying support for Palestine Action
Aysu Bicer |19.07.2025 - TRT/AA
Police arrest 55 people in Westminster under Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying support for Palestine Action
Aysu Bicer |19.07.2025 - TRT/AA
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march past Big Ben as they march from Embankment Station during the 28th protest held since October 7, 2023, calling for an end to UK arms sales to Israel and condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza as well as crackdowns on Palestinian solidarity in the UK on July 29, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON
More than 50 people were arrested Saturday in central London as tens of thousands marched in support of Palestine, days after the UK formally designated the Palestine Action activist group as a terror organization.
Despite heavy rain, demonstrators filled the streets of Westminster, waving flags, chanting and holding hand-written signs referencing Palestine Action, which was proscribed under Terrorism Act 2000 earlier this month.
Police said 55 people were detained under Section 13 of the act, which bans the display of support for a proscribed organization.
Officers intervened within minutes of the protest’s start, arresting individuals carrying placards and banners. Some were carried away by police, while others were handcuffed and led from the scene.
One person was arrested for chanting words. “Likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress,” according to the Metropolitan Police. The arrests occurred shortly after the front of the march reached Whitehall.
The protest marked the third consecutive weekend of pro-Palestine demonstrations in the capital. Authorities said 70 people were detained in previous protests around Parliament Square.
'Our spirits fly higher than F-35s'
Addressing the crowd, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot said: "We will rise again, yes, wounded but never broken. Our spirits fly higher than F-35s. To the people of Gaza, look at the millions of the world standing for you, fighting for you. We will remain in our land, we will rebuild Gaza."
He added: "Israel has made Gaza a test lab for genocide. What are we without shared humanity? What have they become? Those enablers of genocide, they still sell arms. Shame on you."
Labour MP Richard Burgon also condemned the protest crackdown: "We are going anywhere until justice is done. They are clamping down on the right to protest. History, justice, international law is on our side. We will secure free Palestine."
Palestine Action ban
The protest follows the UK’s July 5 decision to formally proscribe Palestine Action, a group known for direct-action campaigns targeting arms companies linked to Israel’s military.
The group drew headlines in June after its activists entered RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted military aircraft.
Co-founder Huda Ammori sought a legal injunction to suspend the ban pending a judicial review, but the High Court denied the request.
Rights groups have criticized the government’s move, warning it could criminalize peaceful dissent. Supporters of the ban argue that the group’s actions pose serious safety and security risks.
War on Gaza
Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has killed nearly 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities, most of them women and children.
The second year of genocide in Gaza has seen widespread destruction, mass displacement, starvation and outbreaks of disease.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
LONDON
More than 50 people were arrested Saturday in central London as tens of thousands marched in support of Palestine, days after the UK formally designated the Palestine Action activist group as a terror organization.
Despite heavy rain, demonstrators filled the streets of Westminster, waving flags, chanting and holding hand-written signs referencing Palestine Action, which was proscribed under Terrorism Act 2000 earlier this month.
Police said 55 people were detained under Section 13 of the act, which bans the display of support for a proscribed organization.
Officers intervened within minutes of the protest’s start, arresting individuals carrying placards and banners. Some were carried away by police, while others were handcuffed and led from the scene.
One person was arrested for chanting words. “Likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress,” according to the Metropolitan Police. The arrests occurred shortly after the front of the march reached Whitehall.
The protest marked the third consecutive weekend of pro-Palestine demonstrations in the capital. Authorities said 70 people were detained in previous protests around Parliament Square.
'Our spirits fly higher than F-35s'
Addressing the crowd, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot said: "We will rise again, yes, wounded but never broken. Our spirits fly higher than F-35s. To the people of Gaza, look at the millions of the world standing for you, fighting for you. We will remain in our land, we will rebuild Gaza."
He added: "Israel has made Gaza a test lab for genocide. What are we without shared humanity? What have they become? Those enablers of genocide, they still sell arms. Shame on you."
Labour MP Richard Burgon also condemned the protest crackdown: "We are going anywhere until justice is done. They are clamping down on the right to protest. History, justice, international law is on our side. We will secure free Palestine."
Palestine Action ban
The protest follows the UK’s July 5 decision to formally proscribe Palestine Action, a group known for direct-action campaigns targeting arms companies linked to Israel’s military.
The group drew headlines in June after its activists entered RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted military aircraft.
Co-founder Huda Ammori sought a legal injunction to suspend the ban pending a judicial review, but the High Court denied the request.
Rights groups have criticized the government’s move, warning it could criminalize peaceful dissent. Supporters of the ban argue that the group’s actions pose serious safety and security risks.
War on Gaza
Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has killed nearly 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities, most of them women and children.
The second year of genocide in Gaza has seen widespread destruction, mass displacement, starvation and outbreaks of disease.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
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