STORY
The House of Commons has voted 385 to 26 to formally proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, marking it as a terrorist organisation alongside neo‑Nazi groups Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement. The proscription was prompted by Palestine Action’s break‑in and red‑paint vandalism targeting two RAF Brize Norton aircraft in late June. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the designation was necessary to safeguard national security, declaring that violent or destructive acts have “no place in legitimate protest”. Security Minister Dan Jarvis echoed that the move demonstrated the government’s zero‑tolerance stance toward terrorism, irrespective of ideology.
Critics, such as Labour MP Zarah Sultana and legal groups including Amnesty International, warn the ban may criminalise non‑violent dissent and equate symbolic actions, like red‑paint sprays, with terrorism. Sacha Deshmukh of Amnesty described it as “a disturbing legal overreach” that risks suppressing free speech. Following Commons approval, the order moves to the House of Lords. If endorsed, proscription will take effect immediately, after which membership, support or fundraising for Palestine Action could incur up to 14 years’ imprisonment.