Crackdown in London: 41 arrested for supporting proscribed group Palestine action

London police announced that 41 people had been arrested outside the UK Parliament for showing support for Palestine Action, a group recently banned under anti-terrorism laws.

The arrests followed a demonstration near the Nelson Mandela statue, where protesters held placards on July 12 reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters, 

Hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague are ongoing, where South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The UK government designated Palestine Action a terrorist organisation earlier this month after members of the group broke into a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 and damaged military aircraft during a protest against Britain’s support for Israel. Four individuals have been remanded in custody and charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and to enter a prohibited area with intent to harm national security interests.

Last week, a similar protest in London led to 29 arrests, while additional detentions occurred at pro-Palestine Action demonstrations in other cities, including Manchester.

The proscription places Palestine Action in the same legal category as Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS, making membership punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Critics argue the use of anti-terrorism legislation against a group known for non-lethal direct action is excessive and sets a troubling precedent.

Palestine Action has previously focused its protests on companies linked to Israel, such as Elbit Systems, using tactics like property damage, red paint, and road blockades. In a failed legal challenge, the group’s lawyer argued that this was the first time the UK had banned a movement using civil disobedience rather than violence.

By Nazrin Sadigova