Twenty-nine people arrested for showing support for Palestine Action hours after the group’s proscription came into effect

The campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organised the demonstration, said “a priest, an emeritus professor and a number of healthcare professionals” were among those arrested, but many were released on Sunday pending investigation.

Palestine Action has been prosecuted multiple times for public nuisance, aggravated trespass, and for causing criminal damage to sites around the UK, often targeting companies such as Elbit Systems UK or banks it accuses of cooperating with Israel, such as Barclays.

The group’s latest stunt, breaking into RAF Brize Norton and causing an estimated £7 million in property damage to two Voyager planes, were cited by the UK government as terrorist-level sabotage.

Palestine Action-caused vandalism after the group broke into RAF Brize Norton (Credit: X)[Missing Credit]

Their proscription followed a parliamentary vote on July 2 (385-26 in favour), approval by the House of Lords on July 3, and the failure of the group’s legal appeal on the same day.

Defending the move, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest and the group’s activities justify the ban.

Palestine Action is now one of 81 proscribed groups in the UK under anti-terrorism laws, which includes the likes of Hamas and ISIS.