UK to proscribe Palestine Action as terrorist organization

The possible ban stems from a break-in at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where two Palestine Action activists damaged military aircraft and spray-painted red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager refueling planes.

By Jewish Breaking News

Palestine Action has been banned from protesting outside Parliament after police imposed an exclusion zone around Westminster, with the Home Secretary set to announce plans to proscribe the group as a terrorist organization.

Met Police on Monday created what’s believed to be one of the toughest restrictions ever placed around Parliament, covering Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge and Victoria Embankment up to Charing Cross.

Any protesters entering the area face arrest, while demonstrations by the group in central London cannot begin before 12pm and must end by 3pm. Breaches carry penalties of up to a month in prison and fines of £1,000.

“I’m sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action,” said Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

“This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered.”

The protest ban follows Friday’s break-in at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where two Palestine Action activists damaged military aircraft and spray-painted red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager refueling planes.

Using crowbars to further damage the aircraft, the vandals sprayed paint on the runway, and left a Palestinian flag at the scene, according to the Telegraph.

“Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel U.S./Israeli fighter jets,” Palestine Action said in a statement claiming credit for the break-in.

“Britain isn’t just complicit, it’s an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.”

As a result, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is preparing a written statement for Parliament announcing plans to proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.

There are currently 81 organizations proscribed as terrorist groups in the UK under the law, including Hamas, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, making membership or support illegal with sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

Palestine Action has long conducted a campaign targeting defense companies and buildings linked to Israel’s defensive war in Gaza.

The group’s co-founder, Richard Barnard, faces trial next year on charges of encouraging criminal damage and expressing support for Hamas.

“The Metropolitan Police are trying to deter support from Palestine Action by banning the protest from taking place at the Houses of Parliament. Don’t let them win! If they want to ban us, they ban us all,” the group wrote on social media in response to the ban.