UK Government Moves To Ban Palestine Action Under Anti-Terror Laws

UK's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that she will move to proscribe the protest group Palestine Action under the UK’s counter-terrorism legislation, a move that would make membership or support of the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The decision follows an incident last Friday in which activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and spray-painted two military aircraft red, BBC reported. Cooper condemned the act as “disgraceful” and cited a "long history" of criminal damage by the group, warning that its activity had "increased in frequency and severity" since 2024.

“If approved by Parliament, this ban will effectively designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation,” the Home Secretary said. “The UK’s defence enterprise is vital to our national security, and this government will not tolerate those who threaten it.”

Palestine Action responded to the announcement by calling the move "unhinged," accusing the government of targeting peaceful dissent. The group described itself as a “direct action movement” committed to disrupting companies that support Israel’s military operations.

During a protest in central London held shortly before the ban was announced, hundreds gathered in support of the group. Thirteen people were arrested following clashes with police.

Cooper stressed that the government’s action is specific to Palestine Action and does not apply to peaceful protest or other pro-Palestinian campaign groups. “It is vitally important that those seeking to protest peacefully, including those critical of Israeli government actions, can continue to do so within the law,” she said.

Founded in 2020, Palestine Action has frequently targeted defence contractors and firms with ties to Israel, including Elbit Systems UK and Thales. In one 2022 incident, activists caused over £1.1 million in damage at a Thales site in Glasgow using pyrotechnics and smoke bombs.

Cooper also referenced break-ins at a weapons factory in Kent and the headquarters of Elbit Systems in Bristol as examples of the group’s increasing militancy. The government believes Palestine Action now meets the legal definition of a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Friday incident at RAF Brize Norton is being investigated by counter-terrorism police. According to Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard, two RAF Voyager aircraft were damaged by red paint, but operations were unaffected. He described the breach as “epically stupid” and “a direct attack on national security,” adding that enhanced security measures have been implemented across UK defence sites.

In a statement, Palestine Action defended its actions: “The real crime here is not red paint on warplanes, but the war crimes enabled by those planes due to the UK’s complicity in Israel’s genocide.” The group said it is preparing a legal challenge against the proposed ban and insisted it should not be equated with terrorist organisations like ISIS or Boko Haram.

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

Cooper is expected to lay the draft proscription order before Parliament next week. If approved, the ban will come into force immediately, making it a criminal offence to belong to, support, promote, or wear symbols associated with Palestine Action.