Thunberg joined a call for British officials to meet with the lawyers of Palestine Action protesters who have been on a hunger strike in prison.
Activist Greta Thunberg joins a protest outside the offices of Aspen Insurance and holds a sign saying “I support Palestine Action prisoners, I oppose genocide” on December 23, 2025 in London.
(Photo by Martin Pope/Getty Images)
Julia Conley
Dec 23, 2025
COMMON DREAMS
“Because in the world we live in, Western leaders can arm a genocide and walk free—while Greta Thunberg is arrested as a dangerous terrorist supporter.”
That was the assessment of journalist Owen Jones on Tuesday after the Swedish climate justice leader was arrested in London outside the offices of Aspen Insurance, a company that provides services to an Israeli weapons maker, where she had been seated on the ground with a sign stating, “I support Palestine Action prisoners, I oppose genocide.”
The protest was in solidarity with demonstrators who have been imprisoned for taking part in nonviolent direct actions with the UK-based group Palestine Action. The government banned Palestine Action in July as a terrorist group, making it the first group to be declared as such under part of the UK Terrorism Act that defines “serious damage to property” as an act of terror—rather than violence against people.
Under the law, anyone who displays items or clothing that “arouse reasonable suspicion” of support for Palestine Action can be punished with up to six months in prison.
Thunberg is one of thousands of people who have taken to the streets in support since the group’s proscription, and one of about 2,000 people who have been arrested for doing so. Two other activists were also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
In Thunberg’s case, a spokesperson for City of London police said “she has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organization (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
The protest was specifically in support of eight people who have been on a hunger strike to protest their imprisonment and Israel’s continued attacks and blocking of essential aid in Gaza.
At least two of the prisoners are in their 52nd day of the hunger strike, and medical professionals have raised grave concerns about their health. Advocates in the UK have also demanded that the Labour government meet with lawyers for the detainees. On Monday, attorneys for the activists said in a letter that the government’s refusal to meet with them violates the Ministry of Justice’s policy for handling cases of hunger strikes.
“It is up to the state to intervene and put an end to this by meeting these reasonable demands that pave the way for the freedom of all those who choose to use their rights trying to stop a genocide, something the British state has failed to do themselves,” said Thunberg.
In Thunberg’s case, a spokesperson for City of London police said “she has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organization (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
The protest was specifically in support of eight people who have been on a hunger strike to protest their imprisonment and Israel’s continued attacks and blocking of essential aid in Gaza.
“It is up to the state to intervene and put an end to this by meeting these reasonable demands that pave the way for the freedom of all those who choose to use their rights trying to stop a genocide, something the British state has failed to do themselves,” said Thunberg.
Member of Parliament Zarah Sultana, co-founder of the socialist Your Party, said that government leaders in the UK, who have continued to back Israel’s attacks on Gaza, should be imprisoned, rather than those protesting.
“Greta Thunberg has just been arrested for opposing genocide,” said Sultana. “Meanwhile, [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer—complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people—walks free. He should be arrested and sent to The Hague.”
Journalist Matt Kennard said images of police confiscating Thunberg’s sign and arresting her “will be studied in history books.”
“Fascism is already here,” he added.
“Greta Thunberg has just been arrested for opposing genocide,” said Sultana. “Meanwhile, [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer—complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people—walks free. He should be arrested and sent to The Hague.”
Journalist Matt Kennard said images of police confiscating Thunberg’s sign and arresting her “will be studied in history books.”
“Fascism is already here,” he added.
Greta Thunberg Arrested in Protest Supporting Palestine Action Hunger Strikers
Thunberg spoke out in support of hunger strikers in the UK, some of whom have refused food for over 50 days.
By Sharon Zhang ,
Children Are Dying of Cold Exposure as Winter Hits Gaza
Israel has continued to restrict the entry of tents, tarps, and blankets into Gaza amid the bone-chilling rains. By Shahad Ali , Truthout December 20, 2025
Advocacy group Defend Our Juries condemned Thunberg’s arrest, saying: “Has the state now turned to arresting anyone who shows support for prisoners locked up beyond the legal time limit? Or are police now instructed to arrest anyone for publicly opposing genocide? OR could we expect Greta’s imminent release with an apology from police for her wrongful arrest?”
The protest was held in support of Palestine Action-linked protesters who are on the 52nd day of a hunger strike as of Tuesday. The prisoners are being held in pre-trial detention for far longer than the U.K.’s 6-month limit.
Eight people have participated in the strikes. Four strikers, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmed, have been on strike for over 50 days, while one activist, Lewie Chiaramello, is on his 30th day, refusing food every other day because he has diabetes. Three other activists, Qesser Zuhrah, Jon Cink and Umer Khalid, have ended their hunger strikes for health reasons.
The protesters are demanding an end to the U.K.’s ban on Palestine Action — a ban that experts have said is a potential breach of international law — as well as bail for those imprisoned and the shutdown of Elbit.
Hunger strikers have initiated legal action against the U.K. government, saying that Justice Secretary David Lammy is ignoring strikers as their health is increasingly at stake. In a letter sent Monday, protesters requested a meeting with Lammy to discuss ways to resolve the situation.
The letter came after another missive signed by hundreds of doctors last week, warning that the protesters are at risk of serious health complications and death.
Member of Parliament Zarah Sultana said last week that authorities were delaying sending an ambulance for Zuhrah when she needed one last Wednesday, only sending one after a protest erupted in support of the activist.
Thunberg spoke out in support of hunger strikers in the UK, some of whom have refused food for over 50 days.
By Sharon Zhang ,
December 23, 2025
Activist Greta Thunberg joins the protest outside the offices of Aspen Insurance and holds a sign saying 'I support Palestine Action Prisoners I oppose Genocide' on December 23, 2025 in London, England.Martin Pope / Getty Images
Police arrested activist Greta Thunberg in London on Tuesday while she was participating in a protest supporting imprisoned hunger strikers linked to proscribed group Palestine Action.
Images of the arrest show Thunberg seated on the ground at the protest holding a sign that reads, “I support Palestine Action prisoners” and “I oppose genocide.”
Police confronted her as she joined demonstrators outside of a building used by Aspen Insurance, which protesters said they targeted because it provides services to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Protesters also sprayed red paint on the building’s facade as part of their demonstration.
Thunberg was released shortly after her arrest, Prisoners For Palestine reported, while two others remain detained.
In a post on Instagram after her release, Thunberg continued to express support for the strikers. “The U.K. has immense blood on its hands, sowing the colonial seeds to what is now a fullblown genocide in Gaza,” she wrote. “Now they are leaving young people to die in prison without trial in a hunger strike. These are brave people who stood up and took action for humanity — doing the government’s job.”
Related Stor
Police arrested activist Greta Thunberg in London on Tuesday while she was participating in a protest supporting imprisoned hunger strikers linked to proscribed group Palestine Action.
Images of the arrest show Thunberg seated on the ground at the protest holding a sign that reads, “I support Palestine Action prisoners” and “I oppose genocide.”
Police confronted her as she joined demonstrators outside of a building used by Aspen Insurance, which protesters said they targeted because it provides services to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Protesters also sprayed red paint on the building’s facade as part of their demonstration.
Thunberg was released shortly after her arrest, Prisoners For Palestine reported, while two others remain detained.
In a post on Instagram after her release, Thunberg continued to express support for the strikers. “The U.K. has immense blood on its hands, sowing the colonial seeds to what is now a fullblown genocide in Gaza,” she wrote. “Now they are leaving young people to die in prison without trial in a hunger strike. These are brave people who stood up and took action for humanity — doing the government’s job.”
Related Stor
Children Are Dying of Cold Exposure as Winter Hits Gaza
Israel has continued to restrict the entry of tents, tarps, and blankets into Gaza amid the bone-chilling rains. By Shahad Ali , Truthout December 20, 2025
Advocacy group Defend Our Juries condemned Thunberg’s arrest, saying: “Has the state now turned to arresting anyone who shows support for prisoners locked up beyond the legal time limit? Or are police now instructed to arrest anyone for publicly opposing genocide? OR could we expect Greta’s imminent release with an apology from police for her wrongful arrest?”
The protest was held in support of Palestine Action-linked protesters who are on the 52nd day of a hunger strike as of Tuesday. The prisoners are being held in pre-trial detention for far longer than the U.K.’s 6-month limit.
Eight people have participated in the strikes. Four strikers, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmed, have been on strike for over 50 days, while one activist, Lewie Chiaramello, is on his 30th day, refusing food every other day because he has diabetes. Three other activists, Qesser Zuhrah, Jon Cink and Umer Khalid, have ended their hunger strikes for health reasons.
The protesters are demanding an end to the U.K.’s ban on Palestine Action — a ban that experts have said is a potential breach of international law — as well as bail for those imprisoned and the shutdown of Elbit.
Hunger strikers have initiated legal action against the U.K. government, saying that Justice Secretary David Lammy is ignoring strikers as their health is increasingly at stake. In a letter sent Monday, protesters requested a meeting with Lammy to discuss ways to resolve the situation.
The letter came after another missive signed by hundreds of doctors last week, warning that the protesters are at risk of serious health complications and death.
Member of Parliament Zarah Sultana said last week that authorities were delaying sending an ambulance for Zuhrah when she needed one last Wednesday, only sending one after a protest erupted in support of the activist.
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