London arrests 139 in protest against Palestine Action ban ahead of Supreme Court appeal
London police arrested 139 individuals on October 31, 2026, during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action. The demonstrations, which included a vigil in Edinburgh, occurred days before a UK Supreme Court appeal challenging the group’s terrorist designation. Organizers claim over 4,000 arrests have occurred since the ban took effect in July 2025, while police maintain that supporting a proscribed organization is a criminal offense. Critics argue the ban silences pro-Palestine voices, whereas authorities insist the law is being enforced against unlawful conduct, not peaceful expression.
Key points
- Metropolitan Police arrested 139 people at a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London on October 31, 2026, citing support for the banned group Palestine Action.
- The majority of those arrested had expressed support for the proscribed organization, with many protesters being retirees holding signs opposing genocide.
- A similar vigil took place outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, where no arrests were reported but Police Scotland is reviewing evidence of individuals wearing supportive apparel.
- The UK government outlawed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in 2025, making membership or support a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
- The protests occurred ahead of a Supreme Court appeal scheduled for November 4, 2026, which challenges the group’s terrorist designation.
- Activist organization Defend Our Juries, which planned the demonstration, stated that over 4,000 people have been detained since July 2025 for defying the ban.
Background
The UK government designated Palestine Action, a direct-action protest group founded in 2020, as a terrorist organization in 2025. The group aims to stop UK military support for Israel, which it accuses of committing genocide against Palestinians. In 2024, activists broke into an Elbit Systems UK factory, and in June 2025, they damaged two tanker planes at a Royal Air Force base. The U.S. government also announced sanctions against the group in August 2025. Recent protests have highlighted tensions between free speech and terrorism laws, with critics arguing the ban is draconian and violates freedom of expression, while authorities maintain it targets unlawful conduct.
Why it matters
The mass arrests and upcoming Supreme Court appeal highlight the escalating legal and political conflict over the proscription of Palestine Action. The case tests the boundaries of free speech and protest in the UK, with supporters arguing the ban is an overreach that silences opposition to perceived genocide, while the government and police assert that supporting a designated terrorist group is a serious criminal offense. The outcome of the appeal could set a precedent for how terrorism laws are applied to protest groups and may influence future sanctions and legal actions against similar organizations.
What to watch
The UK Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal against Palestine Action’s terrorist designation on November 4, 2026. Police in London and Edinburgh are expected to continue reviewing evidence and may make further arrests related to the October 31 protests. The outcome of the appeal could determine whether the ban remains in effect or is overturned, potentially impacting future protests and legal actions against supporters of the group.
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