Met Police Chief Expresses ‘Shock’ Over Planned Palestine Action Protest as UK Government Pursues Ban
London’s top police officer has voiced strong concern over a planned demonstration in support of Palestine Action, describing himself as “shocked and frustrated” by the upcoming event. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley’s remarks come as the UK government is poised to take steps towards proscribing the group, a move that would effectively brand it a terrorist organisation.
Sir Mark stated that while the fundamental right to protest is “essential,” actions taken “in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest.” He characterised Palestine Action as an “organised extremist criminal group.”
The government’s intention to proscribe Palestine Action is expected to be formally presented to Parliament by the Home Secretary. If approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, belonging to or supporting the group could become a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.
This development follows a high-profile incident on Friday at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Palestine Action activists claimed responsibility for breaking into the military base and allegedly spraying two military planes, including an Airbus Voyager refuelling tanker, with red paint. Footage reportedly showed paint being sprayed into a jet engine. This incident is currently being investigated by counter-terrorism police and has been described as a “significant security breach.”
Allegations Fuel Call for Proscription
Sir Mark Rowley cited the Brize Norton incident, alongside other alleged actions, as the basis for considering proscription. He claimed Palestine Action members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds in criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer, and carried out multiple previous attacks on key UK defence sites. These actions, he argued, constitute a form of extremism that differs significantly from typical protest.
Despite his view of the group, Sir Mark confirmed that until Palestine Action is legally proscribed, the Met Police currently lack the specific legal power to prevent the planned protest in central London from taking place. However, he stressed that police do have the authority to impose conditions on the demonstration to prevent disorder, damage, and serious disruption to the community, adding that “breaches of the law will be dealt with robustly.” The Met indicated that specific conditions for the protest would be released once confirmed.
Palestine Action Defends Tactics, Calls Ban ‘Absurd’
Responding to the potential ban, Palestine Action has pushed back against being labelled “terrorists.” In a social media post, the group suggested the “political establishment rush to call us ‘terrorists’, whilst they enact the worst crimes against humanity.”
Saeed Taji Farouky, a member of the group, told the BBC that government plans to proscribe them were “absurd” and warned that such a move “rips apart the very basic concepts of British democracy and the rule of law,” something he felt “everyone should be terrified about.”
Palestine Action has primarily targeted arms companies since the start of the current conflict in Gaza. Mr Farouky stated that the group’s “whole reason for being is to break the material supply chain to genocide,” claiming Friday’s incident at RAF Brize Norton was an “escalation in tactics because the genocide has escalated.” (Israel has strongly denied allegations of genocide in Gaza).
Mixed Reactions to Potential Ban
The incident at RAF Brize Norton and the subsequent move towards proscribing Palestine Action have drawn varied reactions from across the political spectrum and civil society.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the break-in at the airbase as “disgraceful.” Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into how activists gained access. Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds reportedly raised concerns about base security and did not rule out the possibility of foreign involvement with Palestine Action.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman welcomed the potential ban, calling it “absolutely the correct decision.” The Campaign Against Antisemitism also expressed support, linking Palestine Action’s activities to previous vandalism of Jewish premises.
However, others reacted critically. Labour MP Zarah Sultana drew parallels to protests against the 2003 Iraq war, stating: “A million people marched against the illegal war in Iraq and they were right. Now the same script is playing out again.” Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf accused the government of “abusing” anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists.
Amnesty International UK stated it was “deeply concerned at the use of counter terrorism powers to target protests.” Former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer questioned whether vandalism alone, like the Brize Norton incident, would legally suffice for proscription under the Terrorism Act, suggesting other factors might need to be considered. A pro-Palestine protester, Hannah Woodhouse, called the ban “absolutely horrendous,” arguing that counter-terrorism measures were being applied to “non-violent peace protesters” attempting to disrupt the supply of weapons.
The planned protest in London is reportedly supported by 35 groups, including various other pro-Palestinian organisations, the Stop the War Coalition, Cage, and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND).
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of regular protests in London related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s cross-border attack on 7 October 2023.
