Hundreds arrested under terror law for supporting Palestine Action – still no one charged
Police confirm no legal action 15 days after group’s proscription sparked mass arrests across the UK
Not a single person has been charged under terrorism laws since the government banned Palestine Action more than two weeks ago – despite hundreds of arrests nationwide, Jewish News can reveal.
Since the group was officially designated a proscribed terrorist organisation on 5 July, arrests have been made in London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Truro and Liverpool. Many were detained under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for carrying placards stating: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” – a phrase now potentially criminal under the law.
Yet police forces across the country have confirmed no charges have been brought. All those arrested have been bailed pending further investigation, with Counter Terrorism Policing leading enquiries.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told Jewish News: “I believe they have been bailed pending further enquiries.” Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the same regarding 17 individuals arrested at a protest in Bristol on 19 July.
In Liverpool, where four people were arrested under the same legislation, Merseyside Police confirmed all four have been conditionally bailed, with the investigation now passed to Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).
The Metropolitan Police, which made 55 arrests in Parliament Square on 13 July, confirmed that all individuals arrested over the past three weekends have been bailed with conditions.
In a statement to Jewish News, a Met spokesperson said: “Securing a charge for an offence under the Terrorism Act is a distinct process that involves the approval of not just the Crown Prosecution Service but also the Attorney General.
“We are working with criminal justice partners to progress the cases of the individuals arrested over the past three weekends who remain on bail with conditions. This is a significant piece of work given the numbers arrested.”
In total, at least 105 people have been arrested under terrorism laws since the ban came into effect. While Section 13 offences carry a maximum of six months, more serious offences, such as membership of or active involvement in a proscribed group, can carry up to 14 years in prison.
The only known charge to date has been brought in Scotland, where a man was arrested in Glasgow after allegedly displaying a Palestine Action poster in his window.
The decision to proscribe the group followed an alleged £7 million act of sabotage on RAF aircraft at Brize Norton on 20 June, which the government cited as a key factor in the ban. Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for a series of direct actions targeting sites linked to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
While the move was welcomed by many in the Jewish community as a step towards tackling intimidation and politically motivated criminal damage, civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the use of terrorism powers against peaceful protesters.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking a judicial review of the ban, with a High Court hearing expected later this month.
Jewish News has contacted Counter Terrorism Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service for comment on whether any charges are expected.
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