Moment Palestine Action supporter is caught imitating Bob Vylan's Glastonbury chant

A supporter of Palestine Action was caught on camera shouting “death, death to the IDF” during a protest outside Woolwich Crown Court—mimicking the incendiary chant made by rapper Bob Vylan at Glastonbury just 24 hours earlier. The demonstration took place as members of the group appeared in court on charges related to a violent attack on an Israeli-owned defence company in the UK. Protesters also held signs reading “hands off Gaza” and chanted “we are all Palestine Action” as officers monitored the scene.

Scotland Yard confirmed it is now investigating the incident, after footage of the protest began circulating online. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Following footage filmed at the protest outside Woolwich Crown Court on Monday afternoon, we are now investigating to identify any offences and to determine what further action is required.”

The scenes outside the court came on the same day that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper formally laid down orders in Parliament to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation—placing it alongside the likes of Hamas, Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

If approved by Parliament later this week, anyone found to be a member or supporter of the group could face up to 14 years in prison.

The Crown Court hearing involved legal arguments ahead of three upcoming trials for 18 Palestine Action members, the first of which is set to begin on November 17.

Prosecutors allege the group carried out an armed raid on Elbit Systems UK, near Bristol, on August 6 last year.

They reportedly rammed the facility using a decommissioned prison van and assaulted police officers with flares, fireworks, and whips.

One officer, Sergeant Kate Evans, was allegedly beaten with a sledgehammer by 22-year-old activist Sam Corner during the incident.

The protest outside the courtroom echoed comments made by Moazzam Begg, the controversial outreach director for Cage International and a former Guantanamo Bay detainee.

Mr Begg led similar chants at a demonstration in Leicester, saying: “You know yesterday in Glastonbury, what was said? Shall I say the words? Death, death to the IDF. Death, death to the IDF.”

He also welcomed chants of “death to Zionism” and declared Israel a “terror state,” claiming this was not just rhetoric but “actually true”.

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that they are investigating Bob Vylan and Irish rap group Kneecap following their Glastonbury performances, where chants and lyrics appeared to breach public order laws.

Palestine Action is attempting to launch a legal challenge against the Government’s proscription order.

An urgent hearing was held in the High Court on Monday, on behalf of co-founder Huda Ammori, with another hearing due on Friday to decide whether the ban can be temporarily blocked until a full judicial review takes place.

That review is expected to be heard in the week commencing July 21.