UK Police Arrest Over 20 Supporting Banned Palestine Action Group

British police arrested more than 20 protesters in London for supporting Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group recently banned as a terrorist organization under UK anti-terrorism laws. The ban came after Palestine Action activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged aircraft in protest of the UK’s support for Israel, with the group accused of causing millions in damages. Supporters gathered in Parliament Square displaying placards opposing genocide and supporting Palestine Action, leading to arrests for expressing approval of the banned group, which carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison. The UK government equates Palestine Action with other proscribed groups like Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS, citing violence and criminal damage as justification, while critics, including some UN experts and civil rights groups, argue that property damage should not be considered terrorism. The conflict in Gaza, sparked by Hamas attacks on Israel, has led to accusations by UN experts of genocidal acts by Israel, which Israel denies. Additional arrests were made at other protests supporting Palestine, including activists who disrupted London's Pride parade.