British lawmakers have voted to officially ban the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, labeling it a terrorist organisation. The decision follows a series of disruptive protests, including one last month where activists damaged two aircraft at a Royal Air Force base in southern England.
Palestine Action, known for its direct-action tactics, has long targeted UK companies linked to Israel. Its main focus has been Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence firm with several sites across the UK. The group also claimed responsibility for protests at a Thales factory in 2022 and an Elbit site last year.
The UK Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds in damages through their actions. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that criminal damage and violence have no place in lawful protest, adding that national security demands a zero-tolerance approach to such activities.
If the House of Lords approves the ban on Thursday, Palestine Action will be placed on the same list as groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Under UK law, it would become a crime to support, promote, or be a member of the organisation.
However, Palestine Action has called the move an “abuse of power” and challenged the decision in court. An urgent hearing is expected on Friday. Meanwhile, United Nations experts have urged the UK to reconsider, arguing that property damage without intent to harm life should not qualify as terrorism.
The proscription order also includes two other groups — the neo-Nazi “Maniacs Murder Cult” and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist organisation. The vote covered all three together, meaning either all had to be banned or none at all.