US designates UK-based Palestine Action as terrorist group

The United States has designated the UK-based Palestine Action group as a “specially designated global terrorist” organization, imposing sanctions on the group for allegedly supporting “an act of terrorism.” The move follows a ban on the group by the British government.

Established in 2020, Palestine Action is appealing the UK ban, which rights groups have criticized as an attempt to criminalize dissent. The group's stated objective is to end global participation in Israel’s “genocidal and apartheid regime.” It gained prominence following Israel's military campaign in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

In addition to Palestine Action, the U.S. also designated Italy-based Autistici/Inventati (A/I Collective) and the pro-Palestinian group Masar Badil as “terrorist” organizations. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggot described all three as “violent far-left terrorist groups.”

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all three groups, including Palestine Action, as being “violent far-left terrorist groups.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington would use its economic tools against these groups, asserting, “Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated.” This action is part of a broader trend under President Donald Trump's administration to designate groups termed “far-left” as terrorist organizations.

This designation by the U.S. adds another layer to the international scrutiny of groups involved in activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine Action's appeal against the UK ban and the U.S. sanctions highlight the ongoing tensions and differing approaches to political activism and counter-terrorism efforts globally.

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Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated.