LONDON (BN24) — The UK government is set to formally designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, making membership or public support for the group a criminal offence under British law, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday.
The decision comes in the wake of a high-profile breach at RAF Brize Norton last week, where activists broke into the Oxfordshire military installation and caused significant damage to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft. A video posted online by the group showed two individuals inside the base, with one riding an electric scooter and allegedly spraying paint into the aircraft’s engine — an act that reportedly caused millions of pounds in damage.
In a statement, Cooper described the incident as “a disgraceful attack on Brize Norton” and cited it as “the latest in a long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action.” She confirmed that a draft proscription order will be laid before Parliament next week.
If the order is approved, the group will be added to the list of banned terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000, making it illegal to be a member of or offer support to the group. Certain offences under the legislation carry penalties of up to 14 years in prison, while others are punishable by fines.
In response to the announcement, group member Saeed Taji Farouky criticized the planned ban as “completely irrational” and “without precedent.” Speaking to Sky News, he framed the government’s move as “a knee-jerk reaction” aimed at silencing activists after the security breach at RAF Brize Norton exposed “serious flaws in the defences” of the Royal Air Force.
Farouky and other supporters of Palestine Action have positioned the group as a nonviolent direct action movement targeting companies linked to the Israeli defense industry. However, critics and officials point to the group’s repeated acts of property destruction as evidence of criminal — and now, potentially terrorist — behavior.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that a comprehensive review of security procedures at military installations is currently under way in response to the Brize Norton incident. He said the Ministry of Defence is working closely with counterterrorism police to track down the individuals who breached the base.
“This was not just a breach of security — it was a serious act of sabotage against critical military infrastructure,” Pollard said.
Palestine Action has also claimed responsibility for a series of high-profile actions in recent years, including attacks involving red paint splattered on corporate offices and government-linked sites. The group typically targets companies it accuses of supplying weapons or equipment used by Israel in military operations.
The draft proscription order is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the coming days. If passed, it would align Palestine Action with other banned organisations under UK counterterrorism laws. Previous proscription orders have targeted groups accused of promoting extremism or violence, although such orders are rarely applied to domestic activist organisations.
Legal experts note that the move marks a significant escalation in the government’s handling of activist groups engaged in disruptive protest tactics, and could set a precedent for future designations.
If the proscription is approved, individuals found to be members of, or providing material support to, Palestine Action could face arrest and prosecution.
As of Monday evening, the group remained defiant, continuing to post online in defiance of the government’s plans.
