British police arrested Swedish activist Greta Thunberg in London on Tuesday at a pro-Palestinian protest, according to UK-based campaign group Prisoners for Palestine. Thunberg detained under the Terrorism Act for holding a sign that said, “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.” The British government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
However, a spokesperson for the police stated that they arrested a 22-year-old woman for displaying a placard in support of a proscribed organization.
Protesters Target Insurance Firm
The protest targeted a building used by an insurance firm that allegedly provides services to the British arm of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. Prisoners for Palestine, which supports some detained activists who have gone on hunger strike, said the building had been targeted because it was used by an insurance firm which they said provided services to the British arm of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. However, the insurance company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Thunberg, 22, became prominent after staging weekly climate protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018. Last year, a British judge cleared her of a public order offence, ruling police lacked authority to arrest her during a 2023 London protest.
In October, Israel detained and expelled Thunberg along with 478 people after joining an activist convoy of vessels, the Global Sumud Flotilla, that attempted to reach Gaza with aid supplies, and the Israeli government consistently denies all genocide allegations brought against its military operations.
