A pro-Palestine protest outside the Labour party conference in Liverpool led to a large wave of arrests and summons, with authorities reporting 82 arrests on suspicion of carrying or wearing material in support of a proscribed organisation and 79 additional summonses.

Del Naja appeared at the protest with a sign stating, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” a display police say violated the Terrorism Act 2000 because Palestine Action has been a proscribed organisation since 2025.

Legal proceedings around the proscription have swung between courts: a February High Court ruling struck down the ban, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June, and the Supreme Court has granted permission for an appeal set for November 2026.

Defend Our Juries criticized the timing and treatment, noting the incident followed a public appearance by the prime minister praising Del Naja for his climate stance, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in how protesters are treated.

The case underscores a legal gray area about where lawful political expression ends and criminal support for a proscribed organisation begins, with the Supreme Court poised to hear Palestine Action’s case in November 2026.

Government arguments stress that Palestine Action activities meet terrorism thresholds due to serious property damage intended to influence policy, referencing past incidents at Thales, Instro Precision, Elbit Systems UK, and RAF Brize Norton.

Del Naja had been arrested earlier in April, and his latest arrest followed a Defend Our Juries campaign against the proscription and a video calling for de-proscription.

Public opinion on the ban is polarized, with surveys showing mixed views and Labour members showing substantial disagreement with proscription, reflecting ongoing debate about the policy’s legitimacy.

In June, an appellate court ruled the ban lawful, framing it as a proportionate restriction on free speech amid ongoing arrests since February linked to protests against the ban.

In the lead-up to the arrest, Del Naja and Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, along with human rights barrister Michael Mansfield, released a video urging the prime minister to de-proscribe Palestine Action, citing concerns over arrests for peaceful protest.

Palestine Action, formed in 2020 to campaign against Britain’s arms trade with Israel, was designated a terrorist organisation in 2025 following vandalism at RAF Brize Norton; the legal status has been contentious, with High Court rulings initially unlawful but a later appellate ruling upholding the ban as proportionate.

Amnesty International criticized the arrests as an assault on freedom of expression, while Defend Our Juries urged lifting the ban, arguing it is illogical and drains resources.