Amnesty International has condemned the arrest of more than 466 people in London on Saturday, calling the scale of detentions during protests against the UK’s ban on Palestine Action “deeply concerning.”
The rights group criticized the use of what it called “excessively broad and vaguely worded” counter-terrorism law to threaten the freedom of expression.
The mass arrests came during a demonstration in central London against the British government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.
The group, known for its direct actions targeting companies linked to Israel, was outlawed in July after members damaged Royal Air Force aircraft during a protest.
The UK’s Terrorism Act 2000 places Palestine Action in the same category as Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The ban criminalizes membership in the organization, a measure that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Footage taken by Reuters showed participants wearing keffiyehs, waving flags, and chanting “hands off Gaza.” Some held signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Police said most arrests were for supporting a proscribed organization, while eight others were detained on separate charges, including five arrests for assaulting officers.
Ahead of the planned protest, Amnesty had written to Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, warning against the arrest of peaceful demonstrators expected to gather in their hundreds.
The letter highlighted that arresting individuals solely for displaying messages such as “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” would breach the UK’s international obligations to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Previously, human rights groups, journalists, and academics in the UK, Europe, and the US had warned that the ban could undermine free expression and lawful protest.
In a letter to Ofcom and major tech companies, they questioned how these companies plan to protect freedom of expression online in light of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
The protests in London came as anger over Gaza reverberated internationally.
Beyond the large-scale demonstrations in London, protests against the war in Gaza and Israel’s recent plan for military control of Gaza City took place across the globe on Saturday.
Demonstrators in cities like Paris, Madrid, Oslo, Amsterdam, Tunis, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Geneva called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid.
Many of these rallies were part of a coordinated “Global Day of Action” and featured protesters carrying Palestinian flags and banners condemning the humanitarian crisis. In some locations, such as Geneva, participants banged on empty pots to symbolize the ongoing starvation in the besieged enclave.
That same evening in Israel, more than 100,000 people rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages.
The demonstration followed the Israeli cabinet’s approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to establish “full military control” over Gaza, alongside humanitarian aid to Palestinians outside combat zones.
Families of captives said the move could amount to a death sentence for their loved ones. Lishay Miran Lavi, whose husband is held in Gaza, urged US President Donald Trump to intervene to immediately end the war.
Polls cited by Reuters indicate broad Israeli support for ending the fighting in exchange for freeing the remaining captives.
Saturday’s Tel Aviv rally featured Israeli flags, placards with hostages’ faces, and banners condemning Netanyahu’s government. Some demonstrators also carried images of Palestinian children killed in Gaza.
In a dramatic moment broadcast live, protesters stormed Channel 13’s studio, appearing on air wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Leave Gaza.”
They raised slogans against the Israeli government's plan and held it responsible for “killing detainees, killing Palestinians in Gaza, and killing Israeli soldiers.” Chanting, “No normal life with this reality, no life as usual,” the channel was forced to cut the live broadcast.
According to a report broadcast by “Saturday News” on Channel 11, the first phase of the operation involves the transfer of more than 800,000 Palestinians from Gaza City to the Al-Mawasi area, which is expected to take at least 45 days. Within a month, reserve forces from the 146th Division will be called up, and the 98th Division will be deployed in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas warned in a statement that Netanyahu's plans would fail and held the US administration fully responsible for the war crimes committed by the occupation, due to its provision of political cover and direct military support.
It also called on the UN, the ICJ, and the ICC to take urgent action to stop this plan.
The current escalation comes after Israel refused to complete the second phase of a truce it had agreed to in January, which was supposed to last until the end of the aggression on Gaza. Israel resumed its war in the Strip, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas reportedly killed about 1,200 people and took 251 captives.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. The ministry added on Saturday that at least 39 Palestinians were killed in the past day.
