Met Police to Resume Arrests of Palestine Action Protesters

Published: March 27, 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online — Independent, Insightful, Global.

The Metropolitan Police has announced a significant policy reversal, confirming that officers will resume the arrest of protesters who express support for the activist group Palestine Action. This decision marks a departure from an “interim position” adopted just last month, during which the force had paused such detentions following a landmark High Court ruling. The legal landscape surrounding the group remains exceptionally complex, as the court recently declared the government’s ban on Palestine Action to be unlawful, yet simultaneously allowed the proscription to remain in effect while the Home Office pursues an appeal. This “legal limbo” has created a contentious environment for policing, with the Met now asserting that it must enforce the law as it currently stands.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman defended the move, explaining that while the High Court found the proscription of the group to be unlawful, the impact of that judgment has been stayed. This means that, until the government’s appeal is heard and decided—a process that could take several months—supporting Palestine Action remains a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act. Harman emphasized the need for consistency, stating that the police must act without fear or favour and cannot wait for a potential future date when the law might change. The decision to resume arrests was reached after the Met reflected on the unique situation, concluding that anyone openly showing support for the proscribed organisation is likely to be taken into custody.

The fallout from the government’s decision to ban Palestine Action in July 2025 has been immense. Since its designation as a terrorist organisation, more than 2,700 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for the group. These figures represent a staggering increase in terrorism-related arrests in the UK, with many of the detainees being peaceful protesters holding placards that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” The group, founded in 2020, has gained notoriety for its direct-action tactics targeting companies linked to Israel’s arms industry, including high-profile incidents at Elbit Systems and RAF Brize Norton that caused millions of pounds in damage.

Campaign groups and legal observers have reacted with sharp criticism to the Met’s policy U-turn. Defend Our Juries, an activist network that has organized numerous rallies in support of the group, accused the police of changing their mind to “retrospectively fit” arrests that were carried out even while the pause was supposedly in effect. They cited the case of a woman arrested at an Al-Quds Day rally on March 15 for holding a sign, an incident they claim breached the police’s own published guidelines at the time. Critics argue that the changing instructions from the Met have created a sense of chaos, leaving citizens unsure of their rights and making it difficult for protesters to navigate the boundaries of lawful expression.

The broader legal battle is set to reach a head in late April, when the Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s challenge to the High Court’s ruling. In the meantime, the trials of hundreds of people accused of supporting the group have been put on hold by the Chief Magistrate, pending the outcome of the appeal. This pause in the judicial process has left thousands of individuals in a state of uncertainty, with reports suggesting that some have lost their jobs or suffered significant personal disruption due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The situation has also sparked a debate about the “weaponisation” of terrorism legislation against political dissenters.

Beyond the legal arguments, the human cost of the crackdown continues to emerge. Several activists who were recently released on bail after lengthy prison hunger strikes have come forward with claims of medical negligence and lasting health issues, including neurological problems and chest pains. They are reportedly consulting lawyers about potential legal action against prison authorities, further complicating an already fraught situation. For these individuals, the fight is no longer just about international policy but about their own physical and mental well-being in the face of what they describe as a “dehumanising” experience within the UK justice system.

As the Metropolitan Police prepares for further demonstrations, including a major vigil planned for April 11, the atmosphere in London remains tense. The force has signaled that it will continue to identify and gather evidence of offences, but the return to active arrests for symbolic displays of support marks a hardening of the state’s stance. For many in the activist community, the Met’s latest announcement is seen as a direct challenge to the right to protest, setting the stage for a summer of legal and physical confrontations on the streets of the capital as the nation awaits a final verdict on the legality of the Palestine Action ban.

Read More At>>