In a dramatic escalation of housing protests, activists from Palestine Action stormed a London hotel accommodating asylum seekers on Tuesday, demanding its immediate closure. The group, known for its disruptive tactics, drew explicit parallels between the UK's migrant accommodation policies and the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.
Hotel Occupied in Symbolic Protest
The demonstrators entered the hotel in Hendon, northwest London, unfurling banners reading "No Hotels for Genocide" and "Asylum Seekers Welcome, War Profiteers Not." Their protest specifically targeted the hotel chain's alleged connections to defense contractors supplying Israel.
Activists' Demands
- Immediate cessation of hotel use for asylum accommodation
- Transparency about government contracts with hotel chains
- Divestment from companies linked to Israeli defense operations
Police Response and Arrests
Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene within 30 minutes, removing protesters from the premises. Three individuals were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, though Palestine Action claims more participants were detained.
Government's Controversial Hotel Policy
The protest highlights growing criticism of the UK's reliance on hotels to house asylum seekers, which costs taxpayers approximately £8 million daily. A Home Office spokesperson defended the policy as a "necessary temporary measure" while emphasizing efforts to find alternative accommodations.
Broader Immigration Debate
This incident occurs amid heightened tensions around UK immigration policies, with the government facing pressure from both migrant rights groups and local communities opposing hotel conversions. The protest's fusion of Palestinian solidarity with domestic immigration issues marks a new development in activist tactics.
