Police arrest more than 440 people over Palestine Action support

WorldPolitics
5 Oct 2025 • 2:07 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Over 442 people were arrested in London during pro-Palestine protests for allegedly supporting the banned group Palestine Action, with the majority of arrests occurring in Trafalgar Square.
  • The demonstrations proceeded despite appeals from politicians and police to reconsider, especially following a terror attack in Manchester.
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged protesters to 'respect the grief of British Jews', while Jewish community figures labelled the action 'phenomenally tone deaf'.
  • Amnesty International UK criticised the arrests, stating that detaining hundreds for peacefully protesting breaches the UK's international human rights obligations.
  • Police officials, including Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Policing Minister Sarah Jones, defended the arrests, citing support for a proscribed organisation and the diversion of police resources.