London arrests rise after Palestine Action ban

Britain banned Palestine Action and made public support a crime, triggering weekend protests and hundreds of arrests in central London.

London arrests rise after ban on Palestine Action

Police said 365 people were arrested in central London on Saturday as supporters of the banned Palestine Action gathered around Parliament Square and nearby streets. The ban, approved in early July, makes it a crime to publicly support the group after activists damaged two RAF tanker planes during protests over Britain’s role in the Israel-Hamas war. Police stressed that many in the crowd were onlookers or media, not active protesters, and that arrests focused on displays of support.

Protest organizers say the ban infringes on free expression and represents a heavy-handed use of power. The government argues the measures are necessary to protect public safety and prevent violence linked to demonstrations. The case also plays out in the courts, with Palestine Action supporters pursuing a High Court challenge to the ban while Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighs how Britain should respond to the Gaza crisis.

The weekend arrests test the line between security and civil liberties. A sweeping ban framed as counterterrorism can create a chilling effect that dampens public debate in spaces like Parliament Square. If large demonstrations are deterred by legal risk, the government may gain short-term control but risk eroding legitimacy over time.

The legal fight will reveal how far the state can redefine what counts as support for a proscribed group without eroding rights. The outcome could reshape how protests are policed and how political dissent operates in Britain. For communities watching Britain’s stance on Gaza, the next hearings matter beyond a courtroom ruling.

Highlights

The next legal steps will show whether Britain can balance security with free expression.