The UK government has announced plans to ban the Palestine Action group, citing its involvement in activities that have caused significant damage and disruption. The group has been accused of going “beyond protest to blackmail” by Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation.
Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for various actions, including the daubing of a US military plane in Ireland and the break-in at an RAF base. The group’s activities have caused hundreds of millions of pounds worth of damage, and its leaders have threatened to continue such actions unless their demands are met.
The home secretary has the power to proscribe organizations under the Terrorism Act 2000 if they believe it is “concerned with terrorism”. There are currently 81 groups proscribed as terrorist organizations in the UK under this act.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated that banning Palestine Action was “absolutely the correct decision” and that there must be zero tolerance for terrorism. The move to ban the group has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it is an overreaction and will only serve to further radicalize those involved.
The BBC reports on this story, citing additional reporting by Hollie Cole.
