UK Police Announce Plans to Arrest Palestine Action Protesters Again

London’s Metropolitan Police Force has clarified its stance on arrests related to Palestine Action following a recent High Court ruling. In February, the police stated that they would not arrest supporters of the group due to a court decision finding the ban on Palestine Action as a terror organization unlawful. However, Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman has now confirmed that the force will review its approach in light of the government’s appeal against this decision.

According to Harman, the High Court’s ruling does not immediately take effect, and the government’s appeal could take several months to resolve. As a result, he stated that police must enforce the law as it currently stands, rather than waiting for potential future changes. This means that individuals displaying support for Palestine Action may still be subject to arrest.

Earlier this week, several activists linked to Palestine Action spoke at a news conference about their experiences in prison and the lasting effects of a recent hunger strike. The group has been involved in numerous protests across the UK since its establishment in 2020, targeting companies it claims profit from Israeli military actions.

In June, the UK government designated Palestine Action as a terror organization under anti-terrorism legislation, making it a criminal offense to be a member of or publicly support the group. This decision was met with criticism from human rights groups and led to a series of legal challenges.

Source: Al Jazeera