Met Police Resume Arrests of Palestine Action Supporters

The Metropolitan Police in London have resumed arresting supporters of Palestine Action, a direct action campaign group that has targeted weapons manufacturers linked to Israel. According to Al Jazeera, eighteen protesters were detained on Saturday outside New Scotland Yard, the Met's headquarters, for displaying signs supporting Palestine Action.

The arrests come days after the force announced it would resume enforcement actions against individuals showing support for the group. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stated that while the High Court had ruled the proscription of Palestine Action unlawful, the ban remains in effect pending a government appeal, which could take several months to resolve.

The Met's decision to reverse its policy follows a High Court ruling in February that found the government's designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was disproportionate and breached freedom of expression. The court's judgment led the Met to initially adopt a more lenient approach, focusing on gathering evidence rather than making arrests.

However, the force revised its stance after the High Court granted the government a stay pending an appeal. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated that she will challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal later this month. Since Palestine Action was proscribed under anti-terrorism legislation last July, more than 2,700 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for the group.

The trials of hundreds of individuals accused of supporting Palestine Action remain on hold while the legal battle over the ban's validity continues. The government's appeal is scheduled to be heard at the end of April. Meanwhile, activists who were released on bail last month have spoken out about their experiences in jail and are considering legal action against prison authorities for alleged mistreatment.