Met warns Palestine Action supporters they face arrest

Officers will be deployed in the vicinity of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after the activist group Defend Our Juries announced plans for a mass show of support for Palestine Action.

Expressing support for Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act following the group’s proscription in June 2025, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal in June 2026.

Defend Our Juries has organised a number of events in the past year where participants have been asked to display placards expressing support for Palestine Action, leading to thousands of arrests and subsequent charges.

This time, they have called for people to stand on a stage to be erected outside the court, verbally expressing their support.

The action was originally called to coincide with court proceedings for those previously arrested for showing support for the group, but those proceedings are currently adjourned meaning no relevant hearings are taking place at the court on the day of the proposed criminal action.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: “The law is clear. Expressing support for proscribed organisations is a criminal offence and anyone doing so can expect to be arrested.

“There are any number of ways to express views on the humanitarian situation in Gaza or on Israeli military action that don’t involve criminality.

“Doing otherwise is an intentional decision and one which has a detrimental impact on the public, court staff, victims and witnesses attending court, and those trying to go about their lawful business in the local area. It also affects Londoners more broadly whose local police officers are withdrawn from communities to police this operation.

“The fact that there are no hearings related to Palestine Action taking place at the court tomorrow makes the decision to continue with this event all the more nonsensical. Even at this late hour I would urge those intending to take part to reflect on their decision to do so.”

Anyone professing to be a member of Palestine Action, expressing support for the group, arranging the event at which participants are encouraged to do so, or providing the logistical support including the erection of stages or the provision of sound etc will very likely be committing an offence.

To support the policing operation, officers have been given the power to require the removal of face coverings under Section 60AA Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. This is in place in the area shown on the map below between 08:00hrs and 20:00hrs.