Doctors, including former BMJ editor, arrested during Palestine Action protest

Health for Extinction Rebellion

By Daniel Pye

Dr Fiona Godlee, the former editor of the British Medical Journal, was amongst at least 14 health workers reportedly arrested during what organisers described as a "peaceful" Palestine Action protest in Parliament Square in London.

The arrests on 6 September of the medical professionals, including doctors, occurred as they held signs stating "I oppose Genocide. I support Palestine Action" according to Health for Extinction Rebellion (HfXR).

Dr Godlee's arrest drew particular attention. In a video clip shared on X, Godlee is seen sitting at the protest holding a sign as six police officers approach her and then one tells her she is under arrest before she is then taken away by two officers, with one confiscating her sign.

Proud of @FionaGodlee, my predecessor as editor in chief at @bmj_latest, for protesting the UK’s complicity in Israel’s war crimes in Palestine. @Keir_Starmer will be damned by history as the UK Prime Minister who arrested good people for peaceful protest against genocide pic.twitter.com/BPhSnRJCch

— Kamran Abbasi (@KamranAbbasi) September 6, 2025