On Saturday, September 6, British police clashed with protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, arresting more than 400 demonstrators who had gathered to defy the ban on Palestine Action, a government-designated terrorist organization. The protest organizer, Defend Our Juries, reported that 1,500 people participated in the London demonstration, holding signs that read, "I am against genocide, I support Palestine Action."
Within minutes, police began arresting demonstrators, while passersby chanted, "Shame on you!" and "Meet the police, choose a side: justice or genocide." Clashes and heated exchanges erupted as officers dragged away demonstrators, who appeared limp as they were escorted from the crowd. Eight hours after the protest began, police reported arresting more than 425 people, more than 25 of whom were charged with assaulting police officers or disturbing the peace, and the rest under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
"Our officers were punched, kicked, spat at and had objects thrown at them by protesters while carrying out their duties today," said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart, calling the abuse directed at police "unacceptable."
Defend Our Juries claimed the aggression came from police officers and dismissed claims that protesters resorted to violence, calling them "frankly ludicrous." More than 700 people have been arrested at previous protests, and 138 have been charged under the Terrorism Act.
"Serious concerns"
Palestine Action has been conducting direct action in the UK since its founding in 2020, including raids on Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems UK and attacks on other UK targets believed to be linked to the Israeli military. The group targets defense facilities and national infrastructure, and officials say their actions have caused millions of pounds in damage, negatively impacting national security.
In banning the group, then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The assessment is quite clear: this is not a non-violent organisation."
Palestine Action has received High Court approval to challenge the ban, which the government is seeking to overturn. The case is pending, with a hearing scheduled for September 25.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised the British government's stance, saying the new law "abuses the seriousness and consequences of terrorism".
The decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist group "raises serious concerns that counter-terrorism laws are being applied to acts that are not terrorist in nature and could interfere with the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms throughout the UK," warned Volker Türk. He added that, according to international standards, terrorist acts should be limited to crimes such as acts intended to cause death or serious injury, and hostage-taking.