Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja Arrested at Pro-Palestine Protest in Liverpool

Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja was arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Labour Party Conference venue in Liverpool after displaying a sign supporting Palestine Action.

The musician, also known as 3D, was detained on Saturday, September 26, after holding a placard reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The arrest came just before the Labour Party’s annual conference opened in Liverpool.

Video shared by campaign group Defend Our Juries shows police approaching Robert Del Naja and telling him that he was committing an offense. Officers subsequently arrested him on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organization.

Robert Del Naja Challenges Police During Arrest

In the footage, Del Naja questioned the basis of the arrest and said he did not recognize the alleged offense.

When an officer pointed out that Palestine Action is a proscribed organization in the UK, Del Naja responded that he did not agree with the group’s proscription.

He was then taken into custody.

The UK designated Palestine Action a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025. The British government has cited acts involving serious property damage in its justification for the designation. The group’s legal status has subsequently been challenged in court, with the Supreme Court granting limited permission for a further appeal scheduled for November.

The distinction is significant: Del Naja’s arrest was reported as being on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organization, rather than as a finding that he had committed the underlying acts attributed to Palestine Action.

Del Naja Called for Palestine Action Ban to Be Reversed

Hours before his arrest, Robert Del Naja appeared in a video alongside Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori and human rights barrister Michael Mansfield KC.

The three called for the organization to be removed from the UK’s list of proscribed groups, arguing that people should not face terrorism-related consequences for peaceful expressions of support.

The incident has intensified attention around the debate over protest rights, terrorism legislation and public expressions of support for Palestine Action in Britain.

More than 50 people were arrested during the Liverpool demonstration, according to reports, making Del Naja one of several protesters caught up in the police operation.

Massive Attack Have Long Supported Palestine

Del Naja’s arrest is the latest in a series of incidents involving Massive Attack and the band’s political activism.

The Bristol group has repeatedly expressed support for Palestinians and called attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Massive Attack have also participated in campaigns involving artists speaking publicly about Israel’s military actions and Palestinian rights.

Del Naja was previously arrested during a Palestine Action demonstration in London in April. That protest also involved supporters challenging the government’s decision to proscribe the organization.

The band faced further consequences overseas earlier this year after Robert Del Naja and bassist Grant Marshall displayed a Palestinian flag during a Massive Attack performance in Singapore. Singaporean authorities subsequently issued warnings and barred the two musicians from re-entering the country, according to reports.

Arrest Adds to Growing Music Industry Debate

Del Naja’s latest arrest comes amid increasing political activism from musicians and performers.

In recent weeks, artists including Macklemore have faced significant attention over public statements concerning Gaza and Palestine. Macklemore recently announced a new concert tour supporting Palestinian causes after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour.

For Massive Attack, however, political advocacy has been part of the band’s public identity for decades.

The Liverpool arrest now places Del Naja at the center of a renewed UK debate over the limits of protest, support for proscribed organizations and freedom of political expression.