Sat Jul 12 22:54:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
Protests erupted in the U.K. following the government’s decision to outlaw Palestine Action, designating it as a proscribed terrorist organization after a break-in and vandalism at a Royal Air Force base. Over 70 people were arrested across London, Manchester, and Cardiff for expressing support for the group. The government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action stems from the group’s attack on a RAF base in protest of Britain’s military support for Israel, which resulted in significant damage.
**News Article:**
**U.K.: Mass Arrests as Protests Erupt Over Palestine Action Ban**
**London, July 13, 2025 (The Hindu) -** Over 70 people were arrested across the United Kingdom on Saturday, July 12th, during protests against the British government’s recent decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Demonstrations took place in London, Manchester, and Cardiff.
The Metropolitan Police reported 42 arrests in London alone, primarily for displaying support for the banned group. This included chanting, wearing clothing, or displaying flags and symbols associated with Palestine Action. A further 16 arrests were made in Manchester, and 13 in Cardiff. The London protest, the second such event in consecutive weeks, saw demonstrators gathering near statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square, holding signs expressing opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action. Police were seen removing signs and carrying away protesters who were lying down.
The government’s decision to outlaw Palestine Action follows an incident on June 20th, where activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton, damaging two planes in protest of the U.K.’s military support for Israel. Police estimate the damage to be around £7 million ($9.4 million). Four individuals have been charged in connection with the incident and are scheduled to appear in court on July 18th.
The proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000 makes membership in the group and support for its actions punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Palestine Action joins a list of over 80 proscribed organizations in the U.K., including Hamas and al-Qaida. The move has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about freedom of expression and the government’s approach to dealing with pro-Palestinian activism.
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