Palestine Action supporters plan vigil at Labour conference under Burnham
Protesters will hold a silent sign-holding vigil in Liverpool during the Labour Party conference led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The group Defend Our Juries is opposing the ban on Palestine Action, which has led to more than 3,600 arrests since July 2025. Organizers describe the rally as a test of the new leadership's stance on Israel and Gaza.
The Liverpool gathering is set for Sunday near the Labour conference venue, which runs from Sunday through Wednesday. Defend Our Juries expects several hundred participants and further detentions. Since the ban took effect in July 2025, authorities have arrested more than 3,600 people for expressing support for Palestine Action.
The group primarily targets Elbit Systems, described as Israel's largest weapons maker. Burnham recently announced sanctions related to illegal West Bank settlements and settler violence. Rights advocates also want the UK to stop all arms sales to Israel and reverse the proscription.
The vigil may sharpen scrutiny of Burnham's stance on Gaza and Israel, shaping conference coverage and police operations in Liverpool. Attendees could face arrest, and enforcement of the ban may heighten civil-liberties concerns about protest rights. It may also affect how Labour factions and voters view the leadership's handling of a divisive foreign-policy issue.