British Police Arrest Dozens at Protest Supporting Palestine Action

British police arrested dozens of people outside a London court on Thursday after they expressed support for Palestine Action, a protest group banned by the government as a terrorist organization.

The arrests coincided with the group receiving permission to take its challenge against the year-old ban to the UK Supreme Court. Membership in or support for the group is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

London’s Metropolitan Police said 77 people were arrested outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, most on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organization. Protesters chanted that they opposed genocide and supported Palestine Action.

More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the ban was imposed, including for holding signs expressing support for the group. More than 1,200 people have been charged under terrorism legislation, although none has been convicted.

The government banned Palestine Action after activists entered a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 to protest British military support for Israel’s assault on Gaza.

The High Court overturned the ban in February, but the Court of Appeal ruled in June that it represented a justified and proportionate restriction on freedom of expression. The court said the group had moved beyond direct-action civil disobedience and used violence to damage property and cause injuries.

On Thursday, Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, received permission to refer the case to the Supreme Court. The hearing is expected to take place between October and December.

All cases against people accused of violating the ban have been postponed until the Supreme Court issues its ruling.