UK Uses Terror Laws to Silence Pro-Palestinian Dissent
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – British authorities arrested dozens of demonstrators on Saturday for expressing solidarity with Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group recently outlawed under anti-terrorism laws widely criticized as a tool to silence opposition to Israel’s war crimes.
British police confirmed that 41 people were arrested in London and 16 in Manchester for backing the banned movement.
Campaign group Defend Our Juries reported that at least 86 arrests took place across the UK, with solidarity protests also held in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Earlier this month, lawmakers designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization after activists entered a Royal Air Force base and damaged military aircraft in protest against Britain’s unwavering support for Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza.
"Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organization. One person has been arrested for common assault," London’s Metropolitan Police stated online.
A week prior, police had detained 29 demonstrators during a similar action in the capital.
Before Saturday’s arrests, around 50 protesters rallied near a statue of Nelson Mandela outside the British parliament, holding placards declaring "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."
The International Court of Justice is currently examining a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, following Israeli regime’s brutal war that killed at least 57,882 people and wounded 138,095, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
By branding Palestine Action as a terrorist entity, Britain has equated it with groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Membership can now lead to up to 14 years in prison.
Critics of the ban argue that deploying counter-terror laws against a movement primarily engaged in property damage reflects an attempt to criminalize dissent rather than to address genuine threats.
Palestine Action has consistently disrupted Israeli-linked companies in UK, including weapons maker Elbit Systems, exposing and obstructing the supply chain that fuels Israel’s attacks on Palestinians by spraying red paint, blocking operations, and disabling equipment used in the occupation.
During an unsuccessful court challenge, a lawyer for Palestine Action said the government’s move marked the first time UK had outlawed a direct-action campaign of this nature.
