Metropolitan Police made 77 arrests outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as demonstrators gathered to support Palestine Action, an organization designated as terrorist under UK law. The rally, organized by Defend Our Juries on Thursday, marked the beginning of hearings against individuals charged with expressing support for the group. Defend Our Juries stated that hundreds attended to protest against what it characterized as a misuse of terrorism legislation.
The demonstration occurred shortly after Andy Burnham assumed the role of prime minister earlier this month. Burnham has previously acknowledged that the Labour Party’s handling of the Gaza conflict was inadequate and expressed regret, though rights advocates question whether his statements will translate into substantive policy changes. The new administration has already authorized U.S. use of certain British military facilities for operations against Iran.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is also the party’s first Jewish leader, called for Burnham to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action, arguing that the terrorism designation undermines democratic principles of protest and free expression. Polanski stated the prime minister has the authority to rescind the ban and end what he described as authoritarian enforcement actions.
Legally, the situation remains contested. A June ruling by a lower court upheld the government’s ban on Palestine Action, citing the group’s alleged support for violence. However, a February High Court decision found the proscription unlawfully restricted freedom of expression. Huda Ammori, Palestine Action’s cofounder who initiated the legal challenge, received approval from the Supreme Court to appeal the lower court’s decision and pledged to pursue the case through European courts if necessary, characterizing the proscription as an extreme attack on free speech rights.
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