Man Arrested for Defacing Churchill Statue with Anti-Israeli Graffiti in London
A 38-year-old man was arrested in London on Friday after the iconic statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was vandalized with anti-Israeli graffiti. The incident occurred in Parliament Square, just outside the Houses of Parliament, where the three-and-a-half-meter bronze monument was sprayed with red paint in the early hours of the morning.
Police Action and Charges
Metropolitan Police arrested the suspect shortly after 4 a.m. on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage. In a statement posted on social media, authorities confirmed the arrest and later added that the man was further detained on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, an organization proscribed under Britain's Terrorism Act since June 2025. Membership or expressed support for such groups can constitute a criminal offense.
Graffiti Slogans and Cleanup
The slogans painted across the statue and its plinth included phrases such as "Zionist war criminal," "Stop the Genocide," and "Free Palestine." Additional messages read "Never again is now" and "Globalise the intifada." The area was cordoned off, and the statue was cleaned by workers later on Friday morning.
Context and Reactions
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of protest slogans linked to anti-Israeli movements. In December 2025, police in London and Greater Manchester announced that signs or chants of "globalize the intifada" would lead to arrests, following attacks in Australia and a synagogue arson in Manchester.
The Jewish Leadership Council condemned the vandalism, stating on social media: "In targeting the statue of a British hero who led this country in the fight against the Nazis, the perpetrator has found a perverse way to combine a hatred of Jews with a disdain for Britain."
Responsibility and Suspect Statement
A Dutch group called Free the Filton 24 NL, which supports individuals charged in a 2024 break-in at an Israeli defense company, claimed responsibility. They posted an Instagram video showing a person in red coveralls with the message "I support Palestine Action" defacing the statue.
While police have not publicly identified the suspect, a man using the name Olax Outis issued a pre-written statement, saying the act aimed to highlight "horrible human rights violations" by "colonisers who refuse to listen," and portrayed Churchill as a symbol of "political corruption."
Historical Significance of the Statue
The Churchill statue, unveiled in 1973 and created by sculptor Ivor Roberts-Jones, is one of 12 monuments in Parliament Square honoring global leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. It has been targeted before, including in 2020 when "racist" was painted on its plinth during protests.
This arrest underscores ongoing tensions and legal actions surrounding protest activities and vandalism in the UK, particularly in relation to international conflicts and historical symbols.
