London's Metropolitan Police arrested 48 people on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy. The demonstration was held in support of Palestine Action, a group that the British government designated as a terrorist organization last year. Police stated that the majority of those detained were arrested for expressing support for a proscribed organization.
Palestine Action was founded in 2020 with the stated goal of ending U.K. military support for Israel, accusing the nation of genocide against Palestinians, a charge Israel denies. The U.K. government outlawed the group in 2025, and the U.S. government announced its own terror designation and sanctions against the organization in August 2026. The group has previously claimed responsibility for disrupting the "Israeli military-industrial complex," including a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems UK factory and a June 2025 incident involving damage to aircraft at a Royal Air Force base.
More than 100 people participated in the London demonstration, where many carried placards stating they supported Palestine Action and opposed genocide. While some protesters chanted "free, free Palestine" as arrests were made, no violence was reported at the scene. A simultaneous vigil occurred outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland. While Police Scotland reported no arrests at that location, officials confirmed they are reviewing evidence to identify individuals wearing clothing or carrying banners that support the banned group.
For those involved, the concrete change is the risk of prosecution and imprisonment for activities that supporters argue are protected under freedom of speech. The U.K. Supreme Court will hear an appeal regarding this designation on November 4, 2026. A ruling in favor of the government would uphold the current ban, while a ruling in favor of the appellants could affect how the government designates domestic direct-action groups as terrorist organizations and how it balances national security laws with civil liberties.
The knock-on effects extend to the diplomatic and military sectors, as the group's activities specifically target the "military-industrial complex" and U.K.-Israel defense ties. The U.S. government’s involvement through August 2026 sanctions highlights the international coordination regarding the group's legal status. Following the November 4 appeal, the next steps will depend on the court's judgment; until then, the Metropolitan Police and Police Scotland have indicated they will continue to review evidence and take further action against those identified as supporters of the group.