UK police detain dozens at London protest against Palestine Action ban
Al Jazeera2 days
UK: Over 70 Protesters Arrested Over Palestine Action Ban
Above: Police arrest supporters of Palestine Action in London, U.K., on July 12, 2025. Image copyright: Martin Pope/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Palestine Action and two further groups were designated as terror organizations because their actions frequently utilize violence and vandalism. While the right to protest and to free speech are the cornerstones of British democracy, violence and vandalism are not, and they have no place in U.K. society. It's the duty of the government to protect the country from this kind of behavior.
Establishment-critical narrative
Instead of taking action to end Israel's genocide in Gaza, or Britain's complicity in it, the British government is instead going after activists who simply sprayed some paint on military planes. This is a massive overreach which has tremendous impact on free speech and the right to protest.