Dozens Arrested Outside US Embassy in London During Pro-Palestinian Protest
Over 100 protesters gathered outside the US embassy in London to demonstrate against the ban of Palestine Action, resulting in multiple arrests.
Over 100 people protested against the Palestine Action ban outside the US embassy in London, leading to at least 48 arrests by London police during the demonstration 123. The protest took place on a Saturday, with one confirmed date in 2026, and saw notable participants like 79-year-old retiree Sue Morhall and 72-year-old Rev Bill White joining the cause 123.
The protest was part of a broader movement challenging the proscription of Palestine Action as a 'terrorist' organization, which became effective in July 2025 under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership 23. This designation, which aligns with former US President Donald Trump's policies, has led to over 4,000 arrests since July 2025 for defying the ban 23.
Support for Palestine Action is now illegal under U.K. law, with potential penalties reaching up to 14 years in prison 3. The group, founded in 2020 with the aim to halt U.K. military support for Israel, has faced legal challenges and physical confrontations, including breaking into factories and RAF bases 3.
The protest outside the US embassy in Battersea, south London, came amid ongoing legal battles. An appeal at the UK supreme court regarding Palestine Action’s status as a terror group is set for November 4th 13. Despite these efforts, the current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has maintained the ban despite public pressure 1.
Protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the government's stance, with a Defend Our Juries spokesperson criticising the Metropolitan Police's handling of the situation as overzealous 1. Meanwhile, other demonstrations took place outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, though no arrests were reported there 23.
Amnesty International UK has called for the government to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action, viewing it as an attempt to silence pro-Palestine voices 2. Additionally, a vigil in support of Palestine Action was held outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, with Police Scotland currently reviewing evidence and considering further action 3.
What we know
- Over 100 people protested against the Palestine Action ban outside the US embassy in London 123
- At least 48 people were arrested by London police during the protest 23
- The protest occurred on a Saturday in 2026 23
- The ban of Palestine Action became effective in July 2025 under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership 2
- Over 4,000 people have been arrested for defying the Palestine Action ban since July 2025 2
- Supporting Palestine Action is illegal under U.K. law, with potential penalties up to 14 years in prison 3
- The group was founded in 2020 with the aim to stop U.K. military support for Israel 3
- A vigil in support of Palestine Action was held outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland 3
What remains unclear
- The exact number of people who gathered outside the US embassy in London to protest the ban of Palestine Action 2
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 70%, weighted across 29 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- confirmed Over 100 people protested against the Palestine Action ban outside the US embassy in London. (94%)
- confirmed An appeal at the UK supreme court regarding Palestine Action's designation as a terror group is scheduled for November 4th. (86%)
- confirmed At least 48 people were arrested by London police during a protest against the ban of Palestine Action. (85%)
- likely The protest took place outside the US embassy in Battersea, south London. (72%)
- likely The ban of Palestine Action became effective in July of the previous year under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (71%)
- likely This was the first mass protest against the proscription since Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office in July. (71%)
- likely Palestine Action was designated as a 'terrorist' organization, alongside groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIL. (71%)
- likely Over 4,000 people have been arrested for defying the Palestine Action ban since July 2025. (71%)
- likely Support for Palestine Action is considered illegal under U.K. law due to the group's proscription as a terrorist organization. (71%)
- likely Supporting Palestine Action can result in up to 14 years in prison. (71%)
- unverified Around 140 people were arrested at the demonstration. (51%)
- unverified The demonstration occurred under Andy Burnham's premiership. (51%)
- disputed Hundreds of people gathered outside the US embassy in London to protest the ban of Palestine Action. (28%)
- confirmed The protest occurred on a Saturday. (85%)
- likely The protest happened on a specific date in 2026. (72%)
- likely Sue Morhall, a 79-year-old retiree, was among those protesting. (72%)
- likely Rev Bill White, aged 72, also participated in the protest. (72%)
- likely A Defend Our Juries spokesperson criticized the Met police's response as overzealous. (72%)
- likely Shabana Mahmood remains as home secretary despite pressure to rescind the ban. (72%)
- likely Sarah Helm, wife of the prime minister's national security adviser, posted on X about supporting Palestine and Palestine Action. (72%)
- likely Two activists confronted Ed Miliband at Pizza Express during the Labour party conference. (72%)
- likely Protests also took place outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, but no arrests were reported there. (71%)
- likely The proscription of Palestine Action is viewed by some as an attempt to silence pro-Palestine voices. (71%)
- likely The designation of Palestine Action as a 'terrorist' organization is seen as aligning with US President Donald Trump's policies. (71%)
- likely Amnesty International UK called for the government to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action. (71%)
- likely A vigil was held in support of Palestine Action outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland. (71%)
- likely Police Scotland is reviewing evidence and may take further action regarding the Edinburgh vigil. (71%)
- likely Palestine Action was founded in 2020 with the aim to stop U.K. military support for Israel. (71%)
- likely Activists from Palestine Action have previously broken into factories and RAF bases. (71%)
Sources
- The Guardian — More than 100 protest against Palestine Action ban outside US embassy in London
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/31/protest-against-palestine-action-ban-outside-us-embassy-in-london - Al Jazeera — London police arrest 48 as hundreds protest Palestine Action ban
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/london-police-arrest-48-as-hundreds-protest-palestine-action-ban?traffic_source=rss - CBS News — Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested outside U.S. Embassy in London
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dozens-arrested-us-embassy-london-pro-palestinian-group/