UK police arrest supporters of banned Palestine Action group at London protest
The protest in Parliament Square came hours after the pro-Palestinian activist group was banned in Britain under anti-terrorism laws.
The group lost a last-minute court battle late Friday seeking to block the British government's ban, which came into effect at midnight. Activists and their supporters have said the group is non-violent and advocates civil disobedience, and condemned the government decision as authoritarian.
A small group of protesters stood beneath a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and held placards reading, 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.'
Police surrounded them and several people were taken away. One woman seen lying on the ground in handcuffs was carried by officers to a police van.
'Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal offences are committed,' the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
The designation as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act 2000 means that membership of the group and support of its actions a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Under UK law, offences include inviting support, expressing approval, or displaying symbols of a banned group and are punishable by up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine. Britain has proscribed 81 groups under anti-terrorism laws, including Hamas, al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group.
The government moved to ban Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, on June 20, damaging two planes using red paint and crowbars in protest at the British government's ongoing military support for Israel in its war in Gaza.
Police said that the incident caused around 7 million pounds' ($9.4 million) worth of damage.
Four people between 22 and 35 years old were charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the interests of the U.K.
No pleas were entered at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London and the four are scheduled to appear on July 18 at the Central Criminal Court.
Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain in its protests, with British 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 UN experts and civil liberties groups, have argued that damaging property does not amount to terrorism.
At another protest on Saturday, the police arrested five pro-Palestine protesters from the Youth Demand group who threw red paint over a truck involved in London's Pride parade and glued themselves to the vehicle. The parade later resumed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
20 hours ago
- France 24
UK police arrest supporters of banned Palestine Action group at London protest
More than 20 people were arrested Saturday in the UK on suspicion of terrorism offenses after protesters gathered in central London in support of Palestine Action. The protest in Parliament Square came hours after the pro-Palestinian activist group was banned in Britain under anti-terrorism laws. The group lost a last-minute court battle late Friday seeking to block the British government's ban, which came into effect at midnight. Activists and their supporters have said the group is non-violent and advocates civil disobedience, and condemned the government decision as authoritarian. A small group of protesters stood beneath a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and held placards reading, 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' Police surrounded them and several people were taken away. One woman seen lying on the ground in handcuffs was carried by officers to a police van. 'Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal offences are committed,' the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The designation as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act 2000 means that membership of the group and support of its actions a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Under UK law, offences include inviting support, expressing approval, or displaying symbols of a banned group and are punishable by up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine. Britain has proscribed 81 groups under anti-terrorism laws, including Hamas, al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group. The government moved to ban Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, on June 20, damaging two planes using red paint and crowbars in protest at the British government's ongoing military support for Israel in its war in Gaza. Police said that the incident caused around 7 million pounds' ($9.4 million) worth of damage. Four people between 22 and 35 years old were charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the interests of the U.K. No pleas were entered at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London and the four are scheduled to appear on July 18 at the Central Criminal Court. Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain in its protests, with British 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 UN experts and civil liberties groups, have argued that damaging property does not amount to terrorism. At another protest on Saturday, the police arrested five pro-Palestine protesters from the Youth Demand group who threw red paint over a truck involved in London's Pride parade and glued themselves to the vehicle. The parade later resumed.
France 24
20 hours ago
- France 24
Britain reestablishes full Syria ties as FM visits Damascus
In 2011, Britain was among the first countries to acknowledge rebel groups as the official Syrian government after then-president Bashar al-Assad's crushing of pro-democracy protests plunged the country into civil war. London also joined sanctions against Syria and later closed its embassy in Damascus, going on to launch air strikes on Assad's forces. Assad was ultimately toppled in December after more than 13 years of fighting by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa, now Syria's interim president. "The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians," Lammy said in a statement. Photos released by Sharaa's office showed him and Lammy meeting alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Their discussions addressed "bilateral ties... and ways of strengthening cooperation, as well as regional and international developments", the presidency said in a statement. The Syrian foreign ministry issued a similar statement following a separate meeting between Lammy and Shaibani. Lammy said a stable Syria would benefit Britain by "reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons" and "tackling the threat of terrorism". Britain's Foreign Office said Assad's overthrow was an opportunity to "fully declare and destroy Assad's evil chemical weapons programme", adding that London had contributed an additional $2.7 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to help Syria do so. In 2018, the UK joined US air strikes on Syria's chemical weapons in response to a suspected poison gas attack by Assad's forces. Sanctions lifted Syria has experienced a flurry of diplomatic activity in the months since Islamist-led forces ousted Assad. In May, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met with an official British delegation, the defence ministry said at the time. In April, the British government announced it was lifting sanctions imposed on Syria's interior and defence ministries under Assad. It also said it was removing sanctions against various media groups and intelligence agencies, as well as on some sectors of the economy including financial services and energy production. A month earlier, it ended sanctions on 24 entities including Syria's central bank. The United States has also lifted sanctions on Syria and is planning to remove it from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Last month, Damascus carried out its first electronic transfer through the international banking system since the imposition of sanctions. The growing international backing comes as Syria's new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions. Britain's Foreign Office said London had committed an extra $129 million to provide "urgent humanitarian aid" and support Syria's reconstruction as well as countries hosting Syrian refugees.
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
FIA urges neutrality after Mayer launches presidency bid
Mayer launched his campaign Friday at Silverstone, ahead of the British Grand Prix, with an attack on the controversial Ben Sulayem. "The FIA Presidential election is a structured and democratic process, to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity at every stage. It is conducted in accordance with the FIA Statutes," said the FIA statement. "In line with the FIA's commitment to impartiality and to preserve equal treatment of candidates, FIA staff members are required to maintain strict neutrality throughout the process. "The Federation will continue to operate as normal, delivering on its responsibilities to its Members and across all areas of motor sport and mobility." The election will take place during the FIA General Assemblies on December 12. The statement followed Mayer's attack on Ben Sulayem's time in office. The American said the president had delivered on none of his promises and had gone "in completely the other direction". "We have the illusion of integrity and what we've seen is wave after wave of statute changes, which are designed to concentrate power in one office, which is the exact opposite of what he promised." Mayer added that he would reverse the statute changes. He said the sport's two World Council "have been gagged and are not able to represent the people who elected them". Mayer, 59, the son of former McLaren boss Tim Mayer, is an experienced motor racing official who was dismissed as a Formula One steward last year in a text message sent by an assistant of Ben Sulayem. He launched his 'FIA Forward' campaign on Friday and was given a warm welcome by most F1 team bosses. "I like Tim," said compatriot and McLaren chief Zak Brown. "And he's got some family history with McLaren. "Racing is in his blood," Cowell said. © 2025 AFP
