More than 20 individuals were arrested by British police in London on Saturday under suspicion of terrorism-related offences, following expressions of support for the recently outlawed group, Palestine Action. The arrests came just hours after the group’s proscription officially took effect.
The UK government announced the ban on Palestine Action last month under counterterrorism legislation. This decision followed an incident in which members of the group allegedly infiltrated a Royal Air Force base and damaged two military aircraft, claiming the act was a protest against the UK’s alleged backing of Israel.
On Friday night, the group’s attempt to overturn the parliamentary decision through an emergency legal challenge was unsuccessful, and the ban was implemented at midnight.
Under British law, it is a criminal offence to support, endorse, or display symbols associated with a banned organisation. Such actions can carry penalties of up to 14 years in prison and/or a monetary fine. Palestine Action now joins a list of 81 proscribed organisations under UK terrorism laws, alongside groups such as Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
On Saturday, supporters gathered in Parliament Square in Westminster, some holding placards that said “I OPPOSE GENOCIDE. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION.” Sky News footage showed some being led away in handcuffs from a statue of Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in the square, as they shouted their support.
United Nations experts have accused Israel of carrying out “genocidal acts” against Palestinians in the conflict in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has repeatedly dismissed such accusations.
PRIDE PARADE PROTEST
Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain in its protests, with interior minister Yvette Cooper saying that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest and that the group’s activities justify proscription.
Critics of the decision, including some United Nations experts and civil liberties groups, have argued that damaging property does not amount to terrorism.
At another protest on Saturday, five pro-Palestinian activists from the Youth Demand group were arrested after they threw red paint over US company Cisco’s truck, which was participating in London’s Pride parade, and glued themselves to the vehicle. The parade, which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, has since resumed, a separate police statement said.
“Young people will not accept … crimes against humanity,” Youth Demand’s statement – which did not mention Palestine Action – said. It added that its activists targeted Cisco’s float as the company supplies “technology that is helping Israel.”
Cisco did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside of business hours.
Source: Dunya News
