London Protests: 365 Arrested as Pro-Palestinian Group Defies Ban

London Protests: Hundreds Arrested as Pro-Palestinian Group Defies Ban

In London, 365 individuals were arrested on Saturday during a pro-Palestinian protest organized by supporters of Palestine Action, a group recently banned in the U.K. The demonstrators intentionally defied the new law, passed in early July, that criminalizes public support for the organization. The ban followed an incident where activists vandalized tanker planes at a Royal Air Force base in protest of Britain's support for Israel's actions in Gaza.

Demonstration and Arrests

Over 500 protesters gathered near the Houses of Parliament, openly challenging police to make arrests by displaying signs supporting Palestine Action. While police made numerous arrests, protest organizers claimed the number was a small fraction of those participating in the banned activity. Defend Our Juries, the protest organizer, argued the arrests undermined the credibility of the law.

Police Response

The Metropolitan Police refuted these claims, stating that many in the area were observers or media. They asserted that anyone displaying support for Palestine Action was being arrested.

Background of the Ban

The government's decision to ban Palestine Action stems from the RAF Brize Norton incident on June 20, where activists damaged tanker planes to protest British military aid to Israel. Palestine Action has previously targeted locations linked to the Israeli military within the U.K.

Wider Protests Across the UK

The arrests in London occurred amidst a weekend of planned protests across the U.K. concerning the Gaza conflict and immigration issues. Separate demonstrations, including one demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants, also took place. Police are also managing protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan acknowledged the high demand on police resources due to the multiple events taking place.