Violent Clash in London: Over 425 Supporters of Palestine Detained Under Suspicion of Terrorist Activities

Hundreds Arrested in London Protest Against Designation of Palestine Action as Terrorist Group

On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered near Parliament in London to protest the British government's decision to ban the pro-Palestine activist group, Palestine Action, under terrorism laws. The group was designated a terrorist organization in July, making membership or involvement with Palestine Action, as well as some public expressions of support, criminalized.

The protest was peaceful, with the protesters sitting silently on the ground, using cardboard and paper to write messages of support for Palestine Action. The messages read, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

The protest was in response to the government's decision to ban Palestine Action, which escalated the confrontation between the British authorities and supporters of Palestine Action over applying the terrorism law to protests, an otherwise protected form of expression in Britain.

The designation of Palestine Action puts them on the same legal footing as groups like Al Qaeda. The designation was made after two members of Palestine Action broke into a British military base and damaged planes to protest Britain's military support for Israel.

Palestine Action was the first organization to be banned under a segment of Britain's legal definition of terrorism that covers serious property damage, rather than violence against people, to advance a political cause. The protest continued to challenge the British authorities' application of the terrorism law to protests.

Saturday's arrests marked a significant escalation in the confrontation between the British authorities and Palestine Action supporters. Several hundred people were arrested under British terrorism laws during the protest.

The protest took place just a week before the second anniversary of the Gaza war, which has fuelled tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. The protestors expressed their solidarity with Palestine Action, despite it being banned and designated as a terrorist organization.

The protest was not associated with any violent actions, and the protesters maintained a peaceful demonstration throughout the day. The arrests and the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization have sparked widespread criticism and concern among human rights groups and activists.