Met Police to Resume Palestine Action Support Arrests

London's Metropolitan Police announced on Wednesday that they will resume arresting protesters for displaying signs in support of Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act. The decision reverses a pause in such arrests implemented in February following a High Court ruling that deemed the government's ban on the group unlawful.

The High Court judgment, issued earlier this year, found the proscription of Palestine Action to be invalid. However, on February 25, the court granted the Home Secretary permission to appeal and ruled that the ban would remain in effect pending the outcome of that process, which could extend for several months. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman explained the police's position, stating, "While the High Court has found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful, it has confirmed the impact of that judgment will not take effect until the Government's appeal has been considered, which could take many months. That means it is still a criminal offence to support Palestine Action. We must enforce the law as it is at the time, not as it might be at a future date. We must do that consistently and...