Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London on Tuesday while standing in solidarity with pro-Palestinian activists who are engaged in a hunger strike to protest their detention as they await trial. The group, known as Prisoners for Palestine, published a video showing the 22-year-old climate activist holding a sign in support of those fasting, linked to the organization Palestine Action, which was designated as a terrorist group by the British government earlier this year.
The protests included actions by two other activists who sprayed red paint in front of an insurance company located in the City of London, which is the heart of the UK’s financial services. The targeted insurer is claimed to support Elbit Systems, a defense firm associated with Israel, further amplifying the activists’ message.
City of London police reported that a man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, while a third woman was detained for allegedly supporting a banned organization. British police typically do not disclose the identities of suspects before charges are filed.
The hunger strike involves eight members of Palestine Action, protesting against their detention without bail as they face multiple charges related to previous demonstrations across the UK. Notably, the first two prisoners participating in the hunger strike have reached 52 days without food, and according to Prisoners for Palestine, they are now at a “critical stage” with serious health risks.
Despite the growing urgency surrounding the hunger strike and the conditions of the detained activists, the British government has maintained its stance, stating that issues regarding bail and detention are under the jurisdiction of the courts. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions around protest rights and governmental responses to activism in the UK.