Palestine Action ban defended amid rising arrests

Yvette Cooper defends banning Palestine Action as police report hundreds of arrests and ongoing prosecutions.

Palestine Action ban defended amid rising arrests

More than 700 people have been arrested since the government banned Palestine Action on July 5. The group has focused on arms companies since the Gaza war began, and more than 500 arrests occurred at a central London demonstration last week. In Norwich city centre, 13 people were detained after a protest, and the Met says more prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks as forces prepare to handle thousands of cases. London police say arrangements are in place to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary.

Cooper cites the June damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton as a key reason for the ban. She notes there were other incidents claimed by the group and points to an Underground Manual she says encourages the creation of cells, target identification, and evading law enforcement. Cooper argues these elements show the group is not a legitimate protest organization and says some supporters are drawn by Gaza humanitarian concerns without understanding the group’s true aims.

The move reflects a broader trend of using legal tools to curb protests tied to international crises. By linking a private security risk to a political message, the government frames the issue in security terms, potentially tipping the balance between public order and civil liberties. Critics may worry that bans set a precedent for suppressing dissent, while supporters argue the state must act against groups that blur the line between advocacy and violence. The coming weeks will reveal how enforceable the ban is in practice, and whether legal challenges will test its scope and proportionality. The case could shape how future protests are policed in a country that prizes free expression but also seeks to deter violence and damage to national assets.

Highlights

The outcome will influence how future protest actions are policed and challenged in courts.