The Metropolitan Police have made the first arrests under a new ban on chanting specific pro-Palestinian slogans, detaining two people at a demonstration in Westminster.
Arrests Outside the Ministry of Justice
On the evening of December 17, 2025, officers arrested two individuals on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences. The Met stated they were detained for shouting 'slogans involving calls for intifada' at a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. A third person was arrested for obstructing police during those initial arrests.
The demonstration took place outside the Ministry of Justice building, where dozens had gathered to show support for pro-Palestine hunger strikers currently in prison. The arrests came just hours after the Met, in a joint announcement with Greater Manchester Police, warned that anyone chanting 'globalise the intifada' would be detained. Police chiefs said officers would 'act decisively and make arrests' to deter intimidation, citing a changed context following the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia which killed 15 people.
Clashes and Condemnation
Officers were seen entering the crowd to remove individuals after the chants occurred. Scuffles and arguments broke out as some protesters were led to nearby police vans. The protest was addressed by campaigners including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
However, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who was present, told reporters he did not hear the banned chants. He said the main slogans were 'Resisting genocide is not a crime, justice delayed is justice denied.' Tatchell condemned the police action, stating: 'To criminalise that slogan is a shocking attack on free speech... People are making the false assumption that "globalise the intifada" means attacking Jewish people, which is completely untrue.'
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, described the police move as 'another low in the political repression of protest for Palestinian rights' and criticised the lack of consultation. The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will consider each case on its own merits.
Hunger Striker Crisis Escalates
The Westminster protest was linked to growing concerns over several pro-Palestine activists on hunger strike in UK prisons. The group includes Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Lewie Chiaramello, and Muhammed Umer Khalid. They have been in custody for over a year awaiting trial, breaching the UK's six-month pre-trial detention limit.
Several have been hospitalised as their health deteriorates. Lawyers for the eight have written to Justice Secretary David Lammy, warning that without intervention, their deaths are 'a likelihood'. An early day motion expressing 'extreme concern' has been signed by 58 MPs.
In a show of solidarity, former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mansoor Adayfi announced he was joining the hunger strike, accusing the British government of wanting the activists to 'disappear quietly'.
The Ministry of Justice responded, saying: 'We continually assess prisoners’ wellbeing and will always take the appropriate action... His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has assured ministers that all cases of prisoner food refusal are being managed in accordance with the relevant policy.'
The day's events also saw a separate scuffle between police and protesters outside HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, where hunger striker Qesser Zuhrah was taken to hospital. Surrey Police reported that two emergency workers were injured.
