UK Police Arrest Over 500 Protesters Supporting Palestine Action Despite Court Ruling

More than 500 people were arrested during a demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action in central London.

“In Pictures Police in London have arrested more than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters supporting the Palestine Action group during a sit-down demonstration in Trafalgar Square”

Al Jazeera

The age of those arrested ranged from 18 to 87.

Al Jazeera

The protest was called by Defend Our Juries to demonstrate resistance to the ban.

The ban was ruled unlawful by the High Court but remained in place pending appeal.

Among those arrested was Robert Del Naja, founding member of Massive Attack.

Amnesty International UK condemned the arrests as yet another blow to civil liberties.

The ban on Palestine Action was ruled unlawful by the High Court in February.

Only a very small number of Palestine Action's activities constituted acts of terrorism.

Al-Monitor

The government has appealed the ruling and the ban remains in place.

The decision to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was taken in July 2025.

More than 2,700 people have been arrested since the ban came into force.

Palestine Action was proscribed after members broke into a Royal Air Force base.

“More than 500 arrests at Palestine Action protest More than 500 people were arrested during a demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action in central London, the Metropolitan Police have said”

BBC

The group had been targeting Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.

The proscription placed Palestine Action alongside groups like al-Qaeda and the IRA.

Over 3,300 people have been arrested since the ban was introduced.

The Metropolitan Police resumed enforcement in late March.

Defend Our Juries organized the Everyone demonstration.

The arrests have sparked widespread criticism from civil liberties groups.

Amnesty International UK called the mass arrests a blow to civil liberties.

France 24

The Community Security Trust backed a proposed amendment to create a category of extreme criminal protest group.

The ban and enforcement actions have drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

Labour MPs have been told to vote down the amendment despite some support.