Over 200 individuals detained during large-scale demonstration against Palestine Activists
UK Outlaws Palestine Action as Terrorist Organisation
In a controversial move, the British government outlawed the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation on July 5, 2025. The decision came in response to actions by the group that resulted in vandalism and break-ins at a Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton, causing an estimated £7 million in damage[1][2][3].
The proscription of Palestine Action, bundled together with two neo-Nazi groups (Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement) in a single order, was criticized by MPs and Lords as "sneaky," since it forced lawmakers to either proscribe all three or none, increasing political pressure for approval. The House of Commons approved the order by a large majority (385 to 26)[1].
Palestine Action challenged the designation legally, applying for judicial review, which the High Court allowed to proceed, though a temporary block was denied; the group remains officially proscribed from July 5, 2025[1].
The move drew significant criticism from human rights organisations and international bodies. Amnesty International called the outlawing an "unprecedented legal overreach," and United Nations experts argued that acts damaging property without intent to kill or injure should not be labeled terrorism. They warned the ban could have a chilling effect on broader political protest and advocacy[1][2].
Following the ban, enforcement has been intense, with police arresting hundreds during demonstrations supporting the group. Many protesters were detained for "supporting a proscribed organization." Critics of the ban argue it restricts freedom of expression and political activism, while authorities maintain the group was involved in serious attacks involving damage and potential violence[2][3][4].
Meanwhile, in international news, Russia has asked the US not to destabilize the South Caucasus after the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Iran has expressed concern over a possible "foreign intervention" following the agreement[5]. Additionally, Trump has predicted a land swap between Ukraine and Russia in a future peace deal[6].
In the UK, the London Police confirmed the arrest of over 200 people in the British capital on Saturday in response to a protest against the outlawing of Palestine Action. Four people were arrested for assaulting police agents[7]. The statement did not mention any further details about the potential rise in arrests related to Palestine Action[7].
The maximum penalty for supporting or belonging to Palestine Action is up to 14 years in prison[8]. The damages estimated from the break-in at the air base are 7 million pounds (8.1 million euros)[1].
References:
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- The Independent
- Al Jazeera
- Reuters
- CNN
- Metropolitan Police of London
- UK Government
- The controversial classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, alongside two neo-Nazi groups, has sparked debates in the realm of policy-and-legislation, leaning into the broader context of politics and general news.
- The outlawing of Palestine Action, witnessed in the UK on July 5, 2025, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and international bodies, who argue that it may have a chilling effect on political protest and advocacy, thus raising questions surrounding freedom of expression and political activism.
