Palestine Action supporters arrested after defying terror ban with protest

A protest by supporters of designated terror group Palestine Action in Westminster has resulted in more than 20 arrests by police.

The individuals were apprehended in Parliament Square on the first day that expressing support for the group became a criminal offence.

The protestors have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act 2000 and taken into custody.

On X, the force said: ‘Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal offences are committed.’

A group called Defend Our Juries, who organised the protest, said on X that 27 people had been arrested under the Mahatma Gandhi statue, including a priest, an emeritus professor and a number of health professionals.

The group said the protestors were ‘sitting by the statue of Gandhi, holding home-made cardboard signs’ in support of Palestine Action.

An elderly woman in a clerical collar, who was sat in a camp chair with one of the placards at her feet, appeared to be taken away by officers.

Another person was seen lying on the floor in handcuffs as police gathered over her. A woman seen lying on the floor in handcuffs was carried away in the air by officers and put in a police van.

While suspended and flanked by a large group of police, she said calmly: ‘Free Palestine, stop the genocide, I oppose genocide, I support the rights of the Palestinian people, I support freedom of speech, I support freedom of assembly.’

A mass of people crowded around to film the scene before most of the police dispersed at around 2.10pm.

The Met Police said earlier in the day: ‘Palestine Action has now been proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.

‘This includes chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos.’

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has branded the vandalism of two planes by the group at RAF Brize Norton by Palestine Action as ‘disgraceful’ and accused the group of a ‘long history of unacceptable criminal damage’.

She added: ‘This decision is specific to Palestine Action and does not affect lawful protest groups and other organisations campaigning on issues around Palestine or the Middle East.’

The vandalism at the air base in Oxfordshire was said by police to have caused around £7 million in damage.

The proscription puts Palestine Action on a par with the likes of ISIS, al-Qaeda and Boko Haram.

The group said on Friday that the move will create a ‘dystopian nightmare’ by criminalising thousands of people overnight.

Palestine Action is taking legal action to challenge the proscription.

Do you have a story you wish to share? Please contact josh.layton@metro.co.uk

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