More than a week after the British government has forbidden the Palestine Action activist group, the British authorities arrested more than seventy people on Saturday who probably expressed their support to the group. British media write that these statements of support took place during protests in London, Cardiff and Manchester. Campaigners had taken signs with the text ‘I am against genocide, I support Palestine Action’.
41 people were arrested in London for statements of support to the prohibited group. One person was arrested for mistreatment. The protest was organized by the Defend Our Juries action group. Last weekend, 29 people were already arrested in a similar protest in London. In Manchester, 16 demonstrators were arrested, in Cardiff it was about 13 people.
More than a week ago, the British parliament agreed to a change in the law, which means that Palestine Action is now considered a terrorist organization, and is therefore prohibited from now on. 385 parliamentarians voted in front of the British House of Commons and 26 against the proposed adjustment of terrorism legislation. Anyone who still becomes a member of Palestine Action or provides support to an action by the group risks prosecution and, in extreme case, 14 years in prison.
‘Orwellian measure’
Palestine Action, also active in the Netherlands, has been carrying out actions since 2020, especially against the arms industry. Several times the campaigners have been damaging offices and factories. According to Labor State Secretary of the Interior, the actions go too far, especially since the damage sometimes entails high costs.
After the prohibition on an “Orwellian” measure, supporters and actions had announced actions in several places in the United Kingdom. Critics and human rights organizations also say the ban on Palestine Action within a broader trend in the United Kingdom fits from criminalization of solidarity with the Palestinians.