Greta Thunberg Arrested in London for Supporting Banned Group's Hunger Strikers

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 22, was detained by City of London Police on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in the financial district known as the Square Mile. Her arrest occurred during a demonstration organized by the group Prisoners for Palestine outside the offices of Aspen Insurance.

Thunberg was specifically arrested for displaying a placard that read, “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.” This action was taken under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which criminalizes displaying an article in a public place in a manner that arouses reasonable suspicion of supporting a proscribed organization. Palestine Action was officially designated as a proscribed organization in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2025, following an incident involving vandalism at RAF Brize Norton in June 2025.

The protest was held in solidarity with activists from Palestine Action who are currently on a coordinated hunger strike in prison. As of December 23, 2025, eight members had initiated the strike on November 2, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. The strikers’ primary demands include the immediate granting of bail, the cessation of the ban on Palestine Action, and the lifting of communication restrictions within the prison. Reports indicated that the first two participants had reached a critical stage on their 52nd day, while three others had ceased the action due to health concerns.

The demonstration also followed an earlier action where two other activists allegedly damaged the facade of the Aspen Insurance building using hammers and red paint discharged from repurposed fire extinguishers before affixing themselves nearby. City of London Police confirmed the arrest of these two individuals on suspicion of criminal damage. Prisoners for Palestine targeted Aspen Insurance because the firm reportedly provides insurance services to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of an Israeli weapons manufacturer.

Legal representatives for the hunger strikers, including Imran Khan & Partners, formally notified the UK government on December 22, 2025, demanding a meeting with the Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, a request that was declined. The government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under counter-terrorism legislation has drawn criticism from civil liberties experts and United Nations specialists, who argue it blurs the line between legitimate protest and terrorism.

Conversely, Minister of State for Prisons, Lord Timpson, affirmed that the Prison Service is experienced in managing such protests and is adhering to established medical care protocols for the detainees. The maximum penalty for an offense under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is six months' imprisonment, though full proscription offenses can carry a penalty of up to 14 years.