Over a hundred and fifty individuals detained by UK law enforcement during a recent Palestine Action protest.

In the heart of London, on a Saturday in July 2025, a contentious demonstration took place, as hundreds gathered to voice their opposition to the ban on the Palestine Action group. The protest, which occurred in front of the UK parliament, saw 150 individuals arrested, including a 62-year-old CEO named Nigel, who declined to disclose his surname.

The British government had made the decision to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act of 2000, citing acts of vandalism, such as the approximately £7 million ($10 million) worth of damage caused at a Royal Air Force base. However, the decision has been met with criticism from various quarters, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and individuals like Polly Smith, a 74-year-old retiree, who was also present at the protest.

Ms. Smith, like many others, expressed her opposition to the ban, stating that it should be lifted. Another attendee, Nigel, voiced his opinion that the government should focus on stopping genocide instead of trying to stop protesters. His sentiments were echoed by some protesters, who held placards that read: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

The Metropolitan Police had warned that they would arrest anyone expressing support for the banned group. Consequently, skirmishes occurred between officers and demonstrators who tried to prevent arrests. By the time of the demonstration, more than 800 people had already been arrested, with 138 charged with supporting or encouraging support for a proscribed organization. Most of those charged face six months in prison if convicted, while organizers of the rallies could be sentenced to up to 14 years if found guilty.

The government has been granted permission to appeal an earlier ruling which allowed Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to challenge the ban. The appeal is yet to be heard, leaving the future of the Palestine Action group uncertain.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Israel launched new strikes on Gaza on Saturday, with the stated aim of seizing Gaza City to defeat the militant group Hamas. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has added fuel to the fire of the debate surrounding the ban on Palestine Action.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: the ban on Palestine Action has sparked a heated discussion about free speech, terrorism, and the role of the government in regulating protests. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of political activism in the UK.