According to numerous media reports, over 50 supporters of Palestine Action were arrested outside the meeting during the British Labour Party congress in Liverpool. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the outskirts of the first Labour Party Congress held after the organization had been banned to protest against the British Government ' s ban on Palestinian actions. Arrests were carried out at the scene and demonstrators were taken from outside the meeting.
The Palestinian operation was officially launched on 30 July 2020, with the founders, Huda Ammori and Richard Barnard, publicly visible in London, breaking into the British headquarters of Elbit Systems, Israel ' s largest arms manufacturer, in London and spraying graffiti. Using direct action as a central strategy, the organization has targeted its designated "Il-Industrial Complex of Israel" for destruction, blockade and occupation, targeting military factories, financial institutions, logistics enterprises and related service providers.
Since 5 July 2025, it has been a criminal offence under the British Anti-Terrorism Act 2000 (Terrorism Act 2000) to become a member of the Palestinian operation, to raise funds for it, to wear or to display items that may give rise to reasonable suspicion. The invitation to support or "express their views in support of Palestinian action" is also a violation of the law for those who "are encouraged to support recklessness". The offence of membership and the offence of inviting support is punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years and a fine, and the display of the support is punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of 6 months.
The Congress was the first national conference chaired by Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour Party. According to several media outlets, groups planned to organize rallies in support of Palestinian actions on the outskirts of the General Assembly, and hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the meeting to raise the profile of the ban against the organization, leading to the arrest of more than 50 people.
The legal status of Palestinian actions has not yet been finalized in the United Kingdom. On 13 February 2026, the High Court ruled that the prohibition of the organization was unlawful, but reserved provisional effect for government appeals. On 15 June of the same year, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's decision, finding the injunction to be lawful and the five judges stated that the injunction was "a legitimate and proportionate interference with individual rights". The co-founder, Heida Amori, indicated that the team would appeal to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of the Treasury Office for Overseas Assets Control (OFAC) had designated Palestinian operations as terrorist organizations in July 2025, and the same applies to the transnational branch "Masar Badil" and the Italian digital service provider "Autistici Inventati".
The arrest was not an isolated incident. In August 2024, Hyda Davidson (53) and his accomplices Ian Sanders (47), Alexandra Herbisch (41), Teuta Hoxa (30), Sean Midrboro (33), Julia Brigadirova (33) and Madeleine Norman (31) were charged with violent disturbances and criminal damage for having broken into the Elbitt Systems Field factory near Bristol. There are reports that the Barclays will not be tried as terrorists.
In June 2025, members of the Palestinian Operation entered the British Royal Air Force's Brisnon base on electric skateboards, spraying red paint with modified fire extinguishers at turbines in two Airbus refuelling aircraft, and spraying red paint and leaving Palestinian flags on the runway. In 2022, the organization attacked a factory in Glasgow, causing millions of dollars of damage. In 2021, United States activist Max Gaeller was arrested in Kent County for locking his body outside the arms factory truck under the Elbit flag.
The musician Robert Del Naja, a member of Massive Attack, was also rearrested for displaying Palestinian signs of action, saying, "I do not recognize this crime".
For ordinary supporters, displaying Palestinian signs of action in the United Kingdom and participating in the activities of their organizations may face criminal charges with a maximum sentence of 14 years ' imprisonment. For members of the Labour Party and participants in the Congress, outside protests during the Congress directly affected the normal conduct of the agenda. For Elbitt Systems and its companies in the supply chain, the organization ' s direct actions, which have lasted for many years, have led to the permanent closure of its Aldem plant, the forced abandonment of its headquarters in London, and have resulted in contract losses and divestment of billions of dollars.
An appeal from the British Supreme Court is still pending, and the Old Bailey trial is scheduled for January 2027. Heida Amori indicated that he would continue to petition the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. The activities of the organization would be subject to continuing legal risk in a context where the domestic legal status of the United Kingdom had not been finalized and the United States had classified it as a terrorist organization. Any person who displays signs, expresses support for or participates in their activities in the UK may violate the relevant provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2000.