UK Police Arrest Dozens at Protest for Banned Palestine Group

British police arrested dozens on Saturday under anti-terrorism laws during a protest supporting Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group recently banned by the government.

The group was proscribed in July after members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged military aircraft. Palestine Action claims the UK government is complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Hundreds of supporters have been arrested in recent weeks, including more than 500 in a single day last month, many of them over 60.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered near Parliament in central London, holding signs reading: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

Metropolitan Police said officers arrested those openly supporting the banned group, though exact numbers were not confirmed. Witnesses reported dozens of detentions.

The ban classifies Palestine Action alongside terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, making membership or support punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan warned: "If you show support for Palestine Action – an offence under the Terrorism Act – you will be arrested. We have the resources to process as many people as needed."

Human rights groups criticised the ban as disproportionate, arguing it limits peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The government maintains the measure targets criminal acts, not general pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and cites millions in damages caused by the group.