The British government announced on Monday, June 23rd, that it will designate the campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, invoking anti-terrorism laws following an attack on two Royal Air Force planes by the group’s activists.
The decision will make it a criminal offense to be a member of or promote Palestine Action. Offenders could face up to 14 years in prison. The group, which has led high-profile protests against the UK’s support for Israel, will now be treated under British law on par with proscribed organizations like Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
Palestine Action has repeatedly targeted UK facilities connected to one Israeli defense firm and other businesses linked to Israel, particularly since the Gaza conflict escalated in 2023.
In their most recent operation last Friday, two members of the group infiltrated the Brize Norton RAF base. Once inside, they reportedly sprayed paint into the engines of Voyager transport aircraft and used crowbars to further damage the planes.
“The disgraceful attack on Brize Norton … is the latest in a long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in a written statement to Parliament.
