Police Detain ‘Palestine Action’ Demonstrators Following Terror Group Ban

Protesters Arrested in London Over Palestinian Group Classification

On Sunday, numerous protesters rallied in London to show support for actions related to Palestine, reacting against the British government’s recent classification of the group as a banned terrorist organization.

After attempts to challenge this classification legally fell short, supporters gathered at Parliamentary Square, just outside the House of Commons. They held placards bearing messages like “I oppose genocide and support Palestinian actions.”

The protest led to the arrest of at least 20 individuals by the Metropolitan Police. A spokesperson mentioned, “The group is currently banned, and expressing support for them is considered a criminal offence… arrests are being made.”

This week, members of Parliament voted overwhelmingly—385 to 26—in favor of the ban on supporting such groups.

As a result, actions related to Palestine are now legally viewed similarly to those of other designated terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Hezbollah. Those identified as members or supporters face potential prison sentences of up to 14 years. Simply wearing a T-shirt or displaying symbols from the group could lead to penalties, including six months in jail.

The group previously tried to mount legal challenges in the High Court and the Court of Appeal but met with failure, which allowed the ban to take effect late Saturday night.

The initiative to ban the group follows previous incidents, such as the vandalism at RAF Brize Norton station in June, which reportedly caused damages exceeding £7 million.

They have also claimed responsibility for acts of vandalism at President Donald Trump’s Turnberry Golf Course in Scotland earlier this year.

Additionally, the group targets various British defense contractors, asserting that they aid Israel in its conflict against Palestinian groups like Hamas. Over the past five years, it’s claimed their actions have led to damages of around £55 million across 356 separate incidents directed at defense firms and the UK government.

According to Huda Ammori, the founder of Palestine Action, during a Friday meeting, the organization intends to intensify their presence on the streets, stating, “We’ll make the ban unenforceable.” She emphasized that the fight is just beginning, insisting they will continue to resist in court and beyond.