Palestine Action protest arrests in London: 139 held outside the US Embassy, police say

London’s Metropolitan Police said 139 people were arrested on Saturday during a protest outside the US Embassy. The demonstration backed Palestine Action, which is banned in the UK. Police said most of those detained showed support for a proscribed organisation. Officers remained at the site and expected more arrests, the force added.

Representative image

The protest took place ahead of a Supreme Court appeal on Nov. 4. The case challenges Palestine Action’s designation as a terror group. Supporters of the group said the ban is draconian. Supporters also said it breaches freedom of speech. In August, the US government announced sanctions against Palestine Action.

Palestine Action protest draws arrests in London

Many protesters were retirees, according to reports from the scene. Some carried signs that read: I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action. One protester climbed a tree near the embassy. The protester waved a placard reading God help us. Teachers who support Palestine. Palestine Action.

Defend Our Juries, which helped plan the protest, said detentions have risen sharply. The activist organisation said more than 4,000 people have been detained since July 2025. "It is truly dystopian that there have now been over 4,000 arrests under terror laws for peaceful vigils silently expressing opposition to genocide and support for the protest group Palestine Action,\" the group said.

Palestine Action ban makes support a criminal offence

The UK government outlawed the direct-action protest group last year as a terrorist organisation. Under the ban, membership in or support for Palestine Action becomes a criminal offence. The maximum sentence is up to 14 years in prison. Metropolitan Police said Saturday’s arrests mainly involved alleged support for the proscribed group.

A similar vigil was also held in Edinburgh, outside the US Consulate in Scotland. Protesters there displayed placards similar to those seen in London. No arrests were reported at the Edinburgh event. However, Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing to identify people showing support for a proscribed organisation.

Police Scotland said officers were examining material linked to the protest. \"Evidence is being reviewed and further action will be taken as appropriate,\" the force said. The statement referred to people seen in T-shirts and with banners. Police did not say how many people were being assessed.

Palestine Action says it targets UK military links with Israel

Palestine Action was founded in 2020 and says it aims to stop UK military support for Israel. The group says Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. Israel strongly denies that accusation. Palestine Action also says it seeks to stop genocide by disrupting corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex.

The group has carried out high-profile actions in recent years. In 2024, activists broke into a factory owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems UK. Police said equipment was smashed using sledgehammers and crowbars. In June 2025, activists entered a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker planes.

During the June 2025 incident, activists sprayed red paint into the engines of the aircraft. They also caused further damage using crowbars, according to the report. These actions formed part of the wider scrutiny of the group. The Nov. 4 Supreme Court appeal is due to review the group’s terror designation.

With inputs from PTI