Met Police to stop arresting people holding Palestine Action signs
The High Court has ruled the ban on the group is "unlawful"
Last updated 13th Feb 2026
The Metropolitan Police will stop arresting protesters who hold up signs declaring "I support Palestine Action" in the wake of the High Court ruling that the Government's terrorism ban is unlawful.
The force said it will continue to gather evidence of overt support for Palestine Action, because the proscription order remains in place until a Government appeal has been dealt with.
But it said in the "unusual" circumstances it will not carry out arrests for holding up signs and placards.
The protest group Defend Our Juries said more than 2,700 people have been arrested for holding up signs supporting Palestine Action since the Government's ban came into effect.
Last autumn, weekly silent protests were held, with some attracting hundreds of people holding signs, wearing T-shirts, and adorning badges expressing support for Palestine Action.
Nearly 700 people have been charged with a terrorism offence and faced preliminary court proceedings, although no-one has yet been convicted.
Statement from the Metropolitan Police
"The High Court has found that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was unlawful," the Met said in its statement.
"However, the group remains proscribed pending the outcome of any Government appeal, which means expressing support is still a criminal offence.
"We recognise these are unusual circumstances and there will likely be some confusion among the public as to what happens next.
"From a Metropolitan Police perspective, officers will continue to identify offences where support for Palestine Action is being expressed, but they will focus on gathering evidence of those offences and the people involved to provide opportunities for enforcement at a later date, rather than making arrests at the time.
"This is the most proportionate approach we can take, acknowledging the decision reached by the court while recognising that proceedings are not yet fully concluded.
"This approach relates solely to the expression of support for Palestine Action.
"We will continue to intervene and make arrests where we see people crossing the line from lawful protest to intimidate, to damage property, to use violence, to stir up racial hatred or to commit other offences.
"We are mindful that this decision comes at a time when the impact of a prolonged period of significant protest continues to be felt by communities across London, in particular Jewish communities.
"We will continue to take an assertive and determined approach to dealing with antisemitism and other hate crime, acting decisively against anyone who tries to use the cover of protest to cause fear and distress to Londoners."
Court hearings concerning Palestine Action supporters
Analysis of court data shows that at least 87 hours of court sitting time has been taken up at Westminster Magistrates' Court since October with preliminary hearings for Palestine Action supporters.
A courtroom usually dedicated to handling serious crime extradition requests has been used for the hearings, with cases being overseen by senior judges in the magistrates' court and occasionally the Chief Magistrate himself.
The High Court ruling has placed significant doubt over the future of the live criminal cases already in the system.
Thirty-two activists are due to make their first appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday next week, having been charged with a terror-related offence for holding placards supporting Palestine Action at a demonstration last August.
An Old Bailey judge on Friday delayed the plea hearing of four alleged pro-Palestine protesters who are accused of causing more than £1 million of damage after smashing into a defence manufacturer's factory.
The defendants, who are currently in custody, asked for a delay, which was agreed to by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, with a trial currently set for June 8.
Defendants facing magistrates' court cases over placards and signs have been put on bail, while hundreds of days of court time has been allocated to hear their trials in the latter half of this year.
The Crown Prosecution Service has not said it will be dropping cases, but the courts are likely to now be asked to deal with legal applications to have the charges dismissed.
Activists with signs declaring "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" gathered outside the High Court for Friday's ruling.
Two Met Police liaison officers approached one of the group, Grace Lally, and advised her not to carry the sign as Palestine Action remains technically a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act.
One officer told her: "Potentially we're looking at evidence of offences or anything like that, prosecution at any given point really - I can't advise as to whether you will be arrested today, that's not my decision."
Another officer asked: "Are you waiting to get arrested, is that your intention?"
She replied: "I don't want to be arrested. I want to know if it's illegal to hold this sign."
The officers replied: "We can ask."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson accused the Government of a "grave misuse of terrorism laws".
He said: "Placing Palestine Action in the same legal category as Isis was disproportionate and risked undermining public trust and civil liberties.
"This ruling does not place anyone above the law. Any individual members of Palestine Action who are accused of serious offences such as vandalism and violent disorder should be investigated, prosecuted and, if convicted, sentenced accordingly.
"But these are potential criminal acts and not comparable to the horrors of terrorism."