Demonstration planned at Parliament Square ahead of organisation’s official ban
A GROUP of around 20 demonstrators say they will risk arrest under the Terrorism Act this Saturday (July 5) by publicly displaying signs of support for Palestine Action, an organisation set to be formally proscribed by the UK government.
The sit-in is due to take place at 1:00pm in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, London. Those taking part will hold signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” in what they describe as a peaceful act of civil disobedience against the government’s decision to outlaw the group.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced in June her intention to proscribe Palestine Action, citing its use of direct action and links to criminal damage at defence-related sites. The decision has been met with opposition from human rights lawyers, legal academics and civil liberties organisations, with critics warning it could undermine freedom of expression and the right to protest.
If the ban proceeds as planned, expressing support for Palestine Action could become a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
‘A deliberate test’
The organisers of the July 5 action said the demonstration is intended to test the government’s ability to enforce the new ban.
“If we are arrested and charged, it exposes the erosion of democracy,” one organiser said. “If we are not, it shows the order is unenforceable.”
This will be the first in a series of planned weekly demonstrations intended to challenge the proscription.
Background
Palestine Action was founded in 2020 and has carried out dozens of high-profile protests and acts of property damage targeting companies it claims are complicit in the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. These include repeated break-ins at sites operated by Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer with UK subsidiaries.
In a June protest, activists entered RAF Brize Norton and sprayed paint into the engines of military aircraft. On the same day, the Home Secretary announced her intent to ban the group.
Palestine Action has described the proscription as “a gift to Elbit Systems and Israel,” and claims it is being criminalised for exposing British complicity in the war in Gaza.
Concerns over political interference
Legal observers have raised concerns about foreign influence and corporate lobbying behind the decision. The Network for Police Monitoring and the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers are among those who have criticised the move. Four UN special rapporteurs have also raised alarms about potential violations of international human rights obligations.
It has also been reported that the Israeli government was provided with contact details of British counter-terrorism authorities during 2024, and later held meetings with UK officials concerning Palestine-related protests.
Quotes from demonstrators
One participant, Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer, said: “There are already 18 Palestine Actionists held in UK prisons without trial. If we cannot speak freely about the genocide of Palestinians, then democracy in this country is dead.”
Leigh Evans, an emergency support worker, added: “What’s happening in Gaza is the most horrific thing I’ve seen in 30 years of emergency work worldwide.”
The Home Office has defended the proscription, stating it is a proportionate response to the group’s actions, which it claims threaten public safety and national security.
The Herald has contacted the Home Office for further comment.
