Arabic version: أكثر من 500 اعتقال خلال احتجاج مؤيد لفلسطين في لندن
Police in London have arrested more than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters during a sit-down demonstration in Trafalgar Square on April 11, 2026. The protesters were supporting the Palestine Action group, which has faced significant legal challenges since being designated a ‘terrorist’ organization in July 2025. The Metropolitan Police confirmed 523 arrests of people aged 18 to 87 for displaying placards in support of the group.
According to Al Jazeera, the High Court overturned the ban on Palestine Action in mid-February 2026, citing free speech concerns. However, the government has appealed this ruling, leading to a resumption of arrests in late March after a brief pause. Since the initial ban, nearly 3,000 arrests have occurred, primarily for displaying placards supporting the group.
Protest organizers, Defend Our Juries, stated that the demonstration aimed to oppose the UK government’s complicity in what they described as genocide in Gaza. They criticized the police for continuing to make arrests despite the High Court’s ruling that deemed the ban unlawful. Amnesty International UK condemned the mass arrests, calling them a significant infringement on civil liberties.
Among those arrested were elderly participants, including a man in a wheelchair and an elderly woman using walking sticks. Protesters expressed their determination to continue opposing the government’s actions, with one demonstrator stating that the situation represents a threat to democracy and free speech. The group also demanded the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action and the dismissal of charges against those arrested under the Terrorism Act.
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, aims to end British complicity in Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, primarily targeting weapons factories linked to the Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. The recent protests reflect ongoing tensions surrounding the group’s legal status and the broader implications for free speech in the UK.
