The Metropolitan Police have arrested several Palestine Action protesters in London after months of taking a hands-off approach to the group's demonstrations, marking a significant shift in policing strategy.
The arrests occurred as activists targeted a Central London property they claim is linked to Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence electronics company. For several months, Met officers had largely observed Palestine Action protests without intervention, even during building occupations and blockades, provided no significant property damage was occurring.
Palestine Action is a direct-action network that campaigns against what it describes as the UK's complicity in arms trade with Israel. The group regularly targets premises linked to Israeli defence companies, their suppliers and investors across Britain, using tactics including building occupations, entrance blockades and property defacement.
Elbit Systems, which designs and manufactures defence, homeland security and commercial products, has been a frequent Palestine Action target due to its role in supplying technology and equipment to the Israeli military. The company has faced dozens of protests at sites across the UK over the past year.
The apparent policy reversal could signal a broader hardening of police tactics towards direct action protests in the capital. Legal observers suggest the change may reflect mounting pressure on the Met to take firmer action against groups that disrupt business operations, even when protests remain largely peaceful.
Palestine Action has previously celebrated what it saw as the Met's reluctance to intervene in their campaigns, with activists often remaining at targeted sites for hours without arrest. The group's supporters now face uncertainty over whether this more permissive policing approach has permanently ended.