POLICE Scotland is facing calls to “come clean” after arresting members of the public for displaying a lawful pro-Palestine slogan.
The force is being urged to reveal the guidance given to officers amid outrage over the arrests of more than a dozen people for displaying the words: “Genocide in Palestine, Time to Take Action.”
The slogan is displayed in such a way to emphasise the words “Palestine” and “Action”, which could be interpreted as a statement of support for Palestine Action, an offence under the Terrorism Act.
But English police officers have been advised not to arrest people for displaying the slogan, sparking concerns about a cross-Border discrepancy in how these cases are handled.
Police Scotland cited “national security” concerns when it knocked back a Freedom of Information request from one of those facing trial, Andrew Thomson, who had asked whether Scottish officers had been advised that the slogan was lawful, the Sunday National can reveal.
Guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service, the English and Welsh equivalent of Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, last year advised officers south of the Border that the “Genocide in Palestine, Time to Take Action” slogan was lawful.
Thomson asked Police Scotland whether this advice was shared with the force and, in a response shared with this paper, the organisation confirmed that it was sent to Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland on August 28, 2025 but “was not circulated to the wider organisation”.
The pro-Palestine activist also requested to see the guidance that was circulated to Police Scotland, which the force disclosed but in a heavily redacted form.
He subsequently asked whether the phrase “Genocide in Palestine, Time to Take Action” appeared anywhere in this guidance and was told by Police Scotland that the force could not "confirm or deny" this.
The force cited the public interest exemption, arguing that disclosure would be contrary to “the efficient and effective conduct of Police Scotland as regards its law enforcement and national security role”.
Police Scotland claimed that confirming whether it had mentioned the slogan in advice to officers “would prejudice substantially the prevention or detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders and the ability to safeguard national security”, adding: “The UK faces a serious and sustained threat from violent extremists.
“Disclosure would assist groups, organisations and those with hostile intent by providing them with a tactical advantage when planning or perpetrating any unlawful activities, thereby maximising the impact of destruction, harm and disruption that may be caused, whilst avoiding being brought to justice.”
Scottish Greens’ justice spokesperson Maggie Chapman told the Sunday National that Police Scotland must “provide clarity on how they interpreted the law and counter terrorism guidance”.
She said: “It should be a very simple matter for Police Scotland to say whether or not they consider the slogan ‘Genocide in Palestine, Time to Take Action’ lawful or not. A Counter Terrorism police ‘tactics guide’ specifically stated that this slogan should not be grounds for arrest.
“It is clear that police forces in England have followed this guidance. It beggars belief that Police Scotland would take such an authoritarian approach to peaceful protesters north of the border, arresting and charging them under draconian counter terrorism laws. This is especially the case when the UK Government, using public taxpayers’ money, continued to arm Israel’s war crimes and genocide against Gaza.
“Police Scotland must come clean on how officers were interpreting the proscription of Palestine Action and what they were told about how to treat protesters simply carrying banners or wearing T-shirts.”
Chapman described the proscription of Palestine Action, which is being appealed in the Supreme Court later this year, as a “undemocratic outrage” and said there was “no justification for detaining people standing peacefully with Gaza”.
She added: “It is a complete waste of time and money. I urge Police Scotland to provide clarity on how they interpreted the law and counter terrorism guidance, and explain how arresting protesters wearing the slogan or carrying it on a banner is consistent with their understanding of proscription and guidance.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The legal system in Scotland is unique. Police Scotland continues to enforce the law proportionately and officers have been provided with appropriate guidance in order to adhere with legislation and in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service."
