Greta Thunberg arrested at London protest supporting Palestinian Action hunger strikers

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London on Tuesday (23 Dec) during a demonstration in support of Palestine Action activists currently on hunger strike in British prisons.

The 22-year-old Swedish activist was detained under the Terrorism Act after displaying a placard expressing support for prisoners linked to Palestine Action, a direct action group recently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government.

UK-based campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said Thunberg was arrested for holding a sign reading: “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.”

In a video shared online by the group, Thunberg was seen holding the placard outside the central London offices of Aspen Insurance.

Police later confirmed that she was released on bail the same day.

A City of London Police spokesperson said the arrest related to “displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation”, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Protest outside insurance firm

Defend Our Juries said Tuesday’s protest was held to draw attention to Aspen Insurance’s alleged “complicity in genocide” and to express solidarity with prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action.

According to the group, Aspen Insurance was targeted because it provides services to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems. 

The company describes its drones as “the backbone” of the Israeli military.

Police said two other protesters, a man and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after hammers and red paint were used to damage the building on Fenchurch Street where Aspen Insurance is based.

Officers added that the pair had glued themselves nearby and were removed by specialist teams.

Hunger strike and government response

The protest forms part of a wider campaign in solidarity with Palestine Action activists, five of whom are currently on hunger strike while being held on remand.

The hunger strike began on 2 November.

Reports indicate that at least three of those who initially joined the strike have since stopped due to deteriorating health, while others continue.

Those on hunger strike are demanding an end to the UK hosting weapons factories supplying arms to Israel, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, an end to mistreatment of prisoners in custody, and immediate bail.

Several politicians have visited the prisoners, with some warning that they may be at risk of death in the coming days. However, the government has insisted it will not intervene in ongoing legal cases.

Prisons Minister James Timpson said the prisoners were charged with serious offences, including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.

“Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients,” he said.

“Ministers will not meet with them. We have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.”

Campaign groups criticise arrest

Defend Our Juries questioned Thunberg’s arrest, saying it was unclear whether police had misinterpreted the ban on Palestine Action or whether expressing support for prisoners had now been criminalised.

“If it is the former, then we look forward to seeing Greta released without charge immediately,” a spokesperson said.

“If it is the latter, it is yet another dark day for Keir Starmer’s genocide-supporting government.”

The group added: “In calling people terrorists who are not terrorists, they are not acting to protect the public. They are acting to protect the companies profiting from genocide and the genocidal state of Israel itself.”

Thunberg rose to international prominence in 2018 after staging weekly climate protests outside the Swedish parliament.

In October, she was detained along with hundreds of others and later expelled by Israel after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla, an activist convoy that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza.