Protests led by Palestine Action result in arrest of 474 individuals, causing significant alarm among Amnesty International
In the heart of London, a peaceful demonstration supporting Palestine took an unexpected turn on a recent day. The mass arrests of over 700 protesters, including elderly individuals, a blind man in a wheelchair, and a teenager, were a result of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the UK Terrorism Act in July 2025.
The background to this proscription was rooted in the links between Palestine Action and serious criminal activities. Allegations of damage to military jets at RAF Brize Norton and assaults on staff and police officers at a business in South Gloucestershire cast Palestine Action in a violent light. The Home Secretary, citing these violent actions and extensive criminal damage, emphasised that Palestine Action was “not a non-violent organisation.”
The mass arrests were not a response to the general support for the Palestinian cause but a consequence of the illegal act of showing support for Palestine Action, which is outlawed. The police allowed a large peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration with minimal arrests, while hundreds were arrested specifically for their illegal act of supporting Palestine Action.
The arrests have sparked controversy and criticism. Former Labour minister Peter Hain described the mass arrests as “madness,” arguing that Palestine Action does not compare to groups like al-Qaeda or ISIS. The co-founder of Palestine Action is legally challenging the ban.
Despite the controversy, the government and security agencies maintain that the proscription is justified by the violent and destructive actions undertaken by Palestine Action members. The ban on Palestine Action is set to face a legal challenge in November, after the High Court granted a full judicial review to Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori.
The protest took place at Parliament Square, with some protesters seating themselves below statues of Mahatma Gandhi and the suffragette Millicent Fawcett. The Metropolitan Police reports that a significant number of people at the event were seen displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action.
The arrests have raised concerns among human rights advocates. Amnesty International finds it concerning that 474 people were arrested during a Palestine Action demonstration in London. They describe the arrests of so many people under UK terrorism law as "deeply concerning."
As the legal battle unfolds, the question remains: What does it mean to balance the right to peaceful protest with the need to address violent and destructive actions? This is a question that the UK government, security agencies, and the courts will grapple with in the coming months.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). Palestine Action proscribed as a terrorist organisation in UK. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58049135
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 1). Palestine Action proscribed as a terrorist organisation in UK. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/01/palestine-action-proscribed-as-a-terrorist-organisation-in-uk
[3] Sky News. (2025, August 1). Palestine Action proscribed as a terrorist organisation in UK. Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/palestine-action-proscribed-as-a-terrorist-organisation-in-uk-12489566
- The violent actions and extensive criminal damage perpetrated by Palestine Action, such as damaging military jets and assaulting staff and police officers, have led to the organization being associated with crime-and-justice matters.
- Despite the ongoing legal challenge, the government's decision to ban Palestine Action is grounded in their belief that the organization's war-like actions undermine the principles of peaceful politics and general-news discussion.
