The British government announced Sunday that police will gain stronger authority to restrict repeated protests following the arrest of nearly 500 demonstrators at a rally supporting the banned group Palestine Action. The move comes amid growing tension between public safety and free speech as unrest continues over the Israel-Hamas war.
The Home Office said the new rules will allow police to consider the “cumulative impact of frequent protests” when imposing restrictions on marches and demonstrations. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that while the right to protest remains a core British freedom, it must be balanced against citizens’ safety and peace of mind.
“The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country,” Mahmood said. “However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbors to live their lives without fear. Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes.”
Since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have become a regular feature in major British cities. While most have remained peaceful, authorities say some protests have created an atmosphere of intimidation and provided cover for extremist sympathies. A small number of participants have been arrested for supporting Hamas, a banned terrorist organization in the UK.
Tensions escalated further after a deadly terror attack on a Manchester synagogue Thursday that left two Jewish worshippers dead. Despite appeals from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police to postpone demonstrations out of respect for the victims, about 1,000 protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday to oppose the government’s ban on Palestine Action.
Police detained 488 individuals for supporting the outlawed group, and several others for related offenses. More than 2,000 people have been arrested since Palestine Action was officially designated a terrorist organization in July, with over 130 facing terrorism charges.
Critics argue the government’s crackdown undermines free speech, while supporters contend the measures are necessary to prevent antisemitic incitement and protect vulnerable communities.
The ongoing war in Gaza — triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,200 people — continues to fuel political unrest across Europe. Hamas recently stated it is willing to return all remaining hostages and the bodies of the dead as part of President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan.
