Palestine Action faces ban after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed plans to proscribe the activist group under anti-terror laws. The decision follows a recent break-in at RAF Brize Norton, where members spray-painted military planes red.
Additionally, Cooper cited the group’s repeated criminal damage, including attacks on defense factories and government buildings. She emphasized that the ban targets only Palestine Action, not peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters.
The Home Secretary stated that Palestine Action faces ban due to escalating violence and financial harm. Since 2020, the group has allegedly caused millions in damages, including a £1.1 million attack on a Glasgow arms factory.
Moreover, Cooper stressed that lawful protests remain protected. She clarified that the ban specifically addresses Palestine Action’s disruptive tactics, not broader Middle East activism.
Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square after police blocked a planned protest near Parliament. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans before clashes led to 13 arrests.
Police enforced strict dispersal orders, arresting individuals for assault, obstruction, and public order offenses. The Met confirmed heightened security measures following the RAF Brize Norton incident.
Critics, including former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, called the ban a “shameful abuse” of anti-terror laws. Labour MP Nadia Whittome warned it sets a dangerous precedent for silencing dissent.
However, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard condemned the RAF intrusion as a national security threat. He confirmed enhanced defenses at military sites to prevent future breaches.
Palestine Action dismissed the ban as “unhinged,” arguing their protests target companies supporting Israel’s military actions. The group vowed legal challenges, denying any comparison to extremist organizations.
Palestine Action faces ban as Parliament prepares to vote on the order next week. If approved, supporting the group could lead to 14 years in prison.
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