London arrests of Palestine Action protesters spark criticism

Hundreds of demonstrators were detained in London as police enforced the ban on the activist group Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act. On 30 July, Metropolitan Police reported 152 arrests, including at least four individuals who travelled from Brighton and Hove. The arrests followed a court ruling that upheld the proscription of the group and a subsequent appeal that allowed co‑founder Huda Ammori to take her case to the Supreme Court.

One protester, arrested in Parliament Square, later thanked the West Mercia Police officer who had taken her into custody, saying the officer showed "compassion" – a rare occurrence, according to Sergeant Richard Thomas. Demonstrators argue the ban silences criticism of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict and the UK arms industry, with some accusing the government of using anti‑terror legislation to curb dissent.