Revealed: Mass protest plan to back Palestine Action by overwhelming police
'Defend our Juries' group attempts to organise more than 500 people - including activists from abroad - to come together in central London on 9 August
UK activists are planning an attempt to overwhelm the police at a London event where at least 500 people will show public support for Palestine Action, with a significant number of overseas supporters believed to preparing to enter the UK for a demonstration on next month.
The ‘Defend Our Juries’ protest group is believed to be at the centre of the organising effort, with the organisation openly calling for more than 500 people “to defy Labour’s ban on Palestine action” at a central London protest on Saturday 9 August. The group is describing this attempt at mass action – which is dependent on at least 500 people committing to take part – as “the first of its kind in opposition to the proscribing of a direct action group”.
As revealed by the Electronic Uprising Twitter account, a meeting of ‘Defend Our Juries’ took place on Wednesday evening, with one member saying:
“The 9 August is about mass collective action. And we’re asking people to join this action in London, the seat of government power. It’s by coming together in one place that the action will be most impactful. Already we know of people planning to journey from far afield. A group of 30 people have already booked their travel from the Netherlands.”
Palestine Action, which has carried out a years-long campaign of vandalism and damage of facilities which it links to Israel, was finally banned last month after two of its members breached RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft, with the group subsequently posting footage online. The group’s targets had previously included British Jewish charities with links to Israel, as well as a Jewish property business in the heart of Stamford Hill which Palestine Action claimed had leased a UK property to an Israeli defence firm.
Since Palestine Action’s proscription as a terrorist organisation, hundreds have been arrested for expressing public support for the group, with 55 arrested during a protest in Parliament Square last weekend.
On its website, Defend Our Juries stated that “it is vital that our campaign succeeds – not just for Palestine Action but for democracy…If we let this go, the unions, and climate and racial justice movements will be next.”
The group claimed that “the Government has overreached itself. Our groups and movements are coming together like never before, finding unity under repression. By refusing to give into fear and by standing together, we will face down this assault on us all.”
A Met Police spokesperson said:
“While we would not go into the details of our approach, the public can be reassured that we will have a detailed plan in place to respond to any eventuality.
“Our officers will continue to apply the law in relation to Palestine Action as we have done over the past three weekends.
“Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
