Over 130 arrested over Palestine Action terror designation protest outside US Embassy in London

The demonstration was organized by the activist group Defend Our Juries, which is campaigning against the British government's decision to outlaw Palestine Action.

London's Metropolitan Police arrested 139 people during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in the British capital on Saturday after protesters expressed support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group that has been outlawed in the UK and designated a terrorist organization.

The Metropolitan Police said most of those detained were arrested for expressing support for a banned organization and that officers continued making arrests at the scene.

According to a report by the Associated Press, many of the demonstrators were pensioners carrying signs reading, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." One protester also climbed a tree near the embassy and held up a sign calling for support for the organization.

The demonstration was organized by the activist group Defend Our Juries, which is campaigning against the British government's decision to outlaw Palestine Action.

According to the organizers, more than 4,000 people have been arrested since July 2025 for violating the ban on supporting the organization. The organizers condemned the arrests, arguing that detaining people for participating in peaceful demonstrations constituted a serious violation of civil rights and freedom of expression.

Palestine Action activists broke into and vandalized Elbit facilities

The British government banned Palestine Action in 2025 following a series of operations carried out by its members against defense facilities, particularly those belonging to Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

Under British law, membership in or support for an organization designated as a terrorist group can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, campaigns against what it describes as British military assistance to Israel. Its members say they seek to disrupt the operations of companies that support Israel's defense industry.

In 2024, activists from the organization broke into a British factory belonging to Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems and vandalized equipment using sledgehammers and crowbars.

In June 2025, activists broke into a British Royal Air Force base, sprayed red paint into the engines of two refueling aircraft, and caused additional damage using crowbars.

The US also took action against the organization, announcing sanctions against it in August and designating it a terrorist organization.

Alongside the London demonstration, a protest in support of Palestine Action was held outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland.

No arrests were reported there, but Police Scotland announced that it was examining evidence to identify participants who wore shirts and carried signs expressing support for the banned organization. Police said further enforcement action could follow.

The demonstrations took place ahead of a hearing scheduled for Wednesday at the UK's Supreme Court, concerning an appeal against the authorities' decision to designate Palestine Action a terrorist organization.

Supporters of the group argue that the ban infringes on freedom of expression and the right to political protest.