Prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was taken into police custody in London on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The arrest was confirmed by the City of London police and reported by activist groups at the scene.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
A spokesperson for the City of London police told the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) that a 22-year-old woman was arrested for displaying a placard in support of a proscribed organization, specifically Palestine Action, under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. While not naming Thunberg directly, the description matches the activist, who is 22. Photographs released by the group Prisoners for Palestine show Thunberg sitting inside a police van outside the offices of Aspen Insurance at Plantation Place on Fenchurch Street.
Context of the Protest and Other Arrests
The protest, organized by groups including Defend Our Juries, targeted the building because it houses an insurance firm alleged to provide services to the British division of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Police reported that the demonstration began earlier in the day when two other individuals—a 24-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman—were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They are accused of using hammers and red paint to damage the building at around 7 a.m., after which they glued themselves to the area. Specialist officers were required to release them before taking them into custody.
Thunberg's Evolving Activism
Greta Thunberg, globally recognized for initiating the Fridays for Future school climate strikes, has increasingly participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent months. Her arrest in London marks a significant moment where her activism has intersected directly with geopolitical protests, leading to legal consequences. The use of the Terrorism Act 2000 in this context highlights the serious legal framework surrounding support for proscribed groups in the United Kingdom.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and the broad coalition of activists involved in protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even drawing in figures primarily known for environmental advocacy. As of the report, the conditions of Thunberg's release or any pending charges were not immediately detailed beyond the initial arrest statement.
