LONDON (AP) — On Saturday, London police arrested 139 individuals during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in support of the banned group, Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police stated that most of those taken into custody had shown support for a proscribed organization, and additional arrests were anticipated as officers continued to monitor the area.
The protest attracted a significant number of retirees, many of whom carried signs with messages such as: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” One demonstrator was seen climbing a tree adjacent to the embassy, holding a placard that read: “God help us. Teachers who support Palestine. Palestine Action.”
Since the group’s ban, more than 4,000 people have been detained for violating the prohibition, according to Defend Our Juries, an activist organization involved in planning the demonstration. The organization criticized the situation, stating, “It is truly dystopian that there have now been over 4,000 arrests under terror laws for peaceful vigils silently expressing opposition to genocide and support for the protest group Palestine Action.”
The U.K. government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization last year, criminalizing any membership or support for the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. This designation has sparked significant controversy, with supporters arguing that it infringes on their freedom of speech.
Additional demonstrations were held outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, where protesters displayed similar placards. However, no arrests were reported at that location. Police Scotland announced that they were investigating individuals seen wearing T-shirts and holding banners in support of the proscribed organization.
“Evidence is being reviewed and further action will be taken as appropriate,” Police Scotland confirmed. These protests took place ahead of an appeal set for November 4 at the Supreme Court, challenging Palestine Action’s designation as a terror group.
In August, the U.S. government also imposed sanctions against Palestine Action, recognizing it as a terrorist organization. Founded in 2020, Palestine Action aims to halt U.K. military support for Israel, alleging that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians, a claim vehemently denied by the Israeli government.
The group intends to prevent genocide by targeting what it refers to as “corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex.” In notable actions in 2024, Palestine Action activists entered a factory owned by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems UK, where they vandalized equipment using sledgehammers and crowbars. In a separate incident in June 2025, activists breached a Royal Air Force base, spraying red paint on the engines of two tanker planes and further damaging the property with crowbars.
The ongoing developments highlight the escalating tensions surrounding the issue, drawing national and international attention as the legal battle over Palestine Action’s status unfolds.
