GRETA THUNBERG was arrested in London today at a demonstration in support of hunger-striking prisoners in what campaigners called “another dark day for Keir Starmer’s genocide-supporting government.”

The Swedish climate activist was taken by Met police officers in front of the offices of an insurance company campaigners have said is affiliated with arms firm Elbit Systems. 

Demonstrating her support for the prisoners entering their 52nd day of hunger strike, Ms Thunberg held a sign which read: “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.” 

The 22-year-old campaigner had joined a protest organised by Prisoners for Palestine and Defend Our Juries, calling attention to the eight prisoners held on Palestine Action-related charges.

The first two hunger strikers to join the action are currently on their 52nd day of not eating and in critical health, while three of the original eight have stopped due to the severe health risk. 

Despite calls from more than 50 MPs and lords, campaigners and unions, Justice Secretary David Lammy has not indicated he would change his mind and will not speak to strikers’ lawyers.

Two other activists were arrested alongside Ms Thunberg on Tuesday, after the offices of Aspen Insurance were painted red using a repurposed fire extinguisher, symbolising the blood of Palestinians killed during Israel’s genocidal offensive on Gaza. 

Aspen is a global speciality insurer and reinsurer which the activist targeted due to their ties Elbit Systems UK, Prisoners for Palestine said. The group said Elbit is Israel’s biggest weapons provider, making over 85 per cent of its arms.

Aspen became the focus of attention for Palestine activists after two other insurance firms, Allianz and Aviva, ended their insurance contracts with Elbit and UAV Engines respectively. 

Allianz said last week it “has no relationship with Elbit Systems and does not engage in any investment or underwriting activity connected to the Middle East.”

Ms Thunberg said in an earlier statement: “It is up to the state to intervene, and put an end to this by meeting these reasonable demands that pave the way for the freedom of all those who choose to use their rights trying to stop a genocide, something the British state has failed to do themselves. 

“Mobilise and escalate to ensure the government cannot ignore their demands, and most importantly continue to answer their calls to Shut Elbit Down. Free Palestine!”

Stop the War convener Lindsey German told the Star: “The arrest of Greta Thunberg entirely reflects the distorted and dangerous times we live in. 

“[A time] when warmongering Western rulers can enable and arm a genocide, while pro-Palestine protesters are arrested as terrorists, and when the government gives way to mainly well off farmers over inheritance tax but refuses to meet the hunger strikers’ families or do anything to help them.”

She added: “Shame on Keir Starmer, David Lammy and the rest.”

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: “Greta Thunberg held a sign saying, ‘I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.’ 

“It’s not clear if the Met Police have made another one of their mistakes in interpreting the crazy ban on Palestine Action or whether the state has now turned anyone expressing support for prisoners locked up beyond the legal time limit for taking action to stop a genocide into alleged terrorists.

“If it is the former then we look forward to seeing Greta released without charge immediately. If it is the latter, it is yet another dark day for Keir Starmer’s genocide-supporting government.

“In calling people terrorists who are not terrorists they are not acting to protect the public, they are acting to protect the companies profiting from genocide and the genocidal state of Israel itself.”

A spokesperson for the City of London police said hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street at 7am yesterday.

They said: “A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby and specialist officers are working to release them and bring them into police custody.”

“A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene. She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”