Government takes action against controversial pro-Palestinian group.

Home Secretary Proscribes Palestine Action Under Anti-Terror Law

The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced her intention to proscribe the activist group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation. This move comes after activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and spray-painted two military planes red.

Cooper labelled the action "disgraceful" and described the group as a terrorist organization. If the proposal is approved by Parliament, membership in and support for Palestine Action would be illegal.

Palestine Action responded by criticizing the government's decision as "unhinged" and claiming that their actions are aimed at disrupting private companies involved in Israel's military operations. The group has instructed lawyers to pursue legal challenges.

Israel has denied allegations of genocide related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Cooper plans to present the draft order to Parliament next week. If approved, belonging to or supporting Palestine Action would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The Home Secretary emphasized that the move only targets Palestine Action and does not affect legitimate protest groups. However, critics have expressed concerns about the precedent set by such a ban.

The group's activities have resulted in significant damage, including an estimated £1 million in damages caused to the Thales defence factory in Glasgow in 2022.

Following the announcement, hundreds of people gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London to protest the proposed ban. Police enforced an exclusion zone around Parliament, leading to the relocation of the protest to Charing Cross. Thirteen arrests were made during the demonstration.