In a significant move, the British government has announced plans to designate Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist group, as a terrorist organization following a series of criminal activities, including vandalism at military sites. The announcement was made by Yvette Cooper, the UK Home Secretary, after members of the group caused damage to military aircraft using red paint at Brize Norton, Britain’s largest air force base.
The legal order to officially submit the ban will be introduced to Parliament on June 30. This comes after Palestine Action also faced backlash for vandalizing former President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland earlier this year. Cooper highlighted the group’s campaign of “direct criminal action” against defense companies, which she claims jeopardizes national security.
This action will place Palestine Action among over 80 groups, including well-known entities like Islamic State and Al Qaeda, that have been banned in the UK. Notably, this ban marks the first instance of a group being classified as a terrorist organization based on property damage rather than violent acts.
According to Jonathan Hall, British government’s chief advisor on terrorism laws, the break-in at the air force base shifted Palestine Action's activities into a "national security" context, leading to the tipping point for the ban. The implications of this decision could be substantial for how the UK government addresses domestic protests and activism.
The legal order to officially submit the ban will be introduced to Parliament on June 30. This comes after Palestine Action also faced backlash for vandalizing former President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland earlier this year. Cooper highlighted the group’s campaign of “direct criminal action” against defense companies, which she claims jeopardizes national security.
This action will place Palestine Action among over 80 groups, including well-known entities like Islamic State and Al Qaeda, that have been banned in the UK. Notably, this ban marks the first instance of a group being classified as a terrorist organization based on property damage rather than violent acts.
According to Jonathan Hall, British government’s chief advisor on terrorism laws, the break-in at the air force base shifted Palestine Action's activities into a "national security" context, leading to the tipping point for the ban. The implications of this decision could be substantial for how the UK government addresses domestic protests and activism.
