British police arrest around 300 people at Palestine Action protest

British police arrested around 300 people on Saturday during a demonstration in London in support of the group Palestine Action.

This group was banned as a terrorist organization by the British government in July. The demonstration took place near the British Parliament and an estimated 1,500 people took part.

The Palestine Action group is known for its anti-war and pro-Palestinian activities, including damaging military facilities associated with support for Israel.

During the demonstration, police announced that they had arrested individuals for various offenses, including assaulting police officers and supporting a banned organization. Police officers were also subjected to physical attacks, including punches, kicks, and objects being thrown at them.

The ban on Palestine Action stipulates that supporting or being a member of the organization is a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. More than 800 people have been arrested by police during previous protests.

Human rights organizations have criticized the ban as excessive and a restriction on freedom of expression.

(reuters, sie)