The UK government is weighing a potential ban on the activist group Palestine Action, as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper examines its escalating protests against British defence companies with ties to Israel.
According to Whitehall sources, ministers are assessing whether the group should be proscribed under terrorism legislation, following a series of high-profile demonstrations that have included vandalism and blockades of arms factories supplying Israel.
Why Palestine Action is in the crosshairs
The grassroots network has intensified its campaign since the outbreak of war in Gaza, targeting facilities belonging to firms like Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer which has several UK subsidiaries. Their tactics have included:
- Occupying rooftops for days at a time
- Damaging property with paint and hammers
- Disrupting operations at key defence sites
Security minister Dan Jarrett has described the group's actions as "unacceptable," telling Parliament that officials are "looking at all options" to curb their activities.
The legal tightrope
While the government has previously banned groups like Hamas and National Action, proscribing Palestine Action would mark the first time a UK-based protest movement faces such measures. Legal experts warn this could set a controversial precedent for political activism.
Labour MP Zarah Sultana has cautioned against the move, arguing: "Peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right. The government should be standing up for international law in Gaza, not cracking down on those demanding it."
The Home Office maintains it will "not tolerate criminal activity masquerading as protest," with a decision expected in coming weeks as the Gaza conflict continues to polarise British politics.
