Fact Check: Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK.

Fact Check: "Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK."

What We Know

On July 4, 2025, the UK government announced that Palestine Action would be proscribed as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act 2000. This decision followed a series of assessments by cross-government experts, indicating that the group's activities had crossed thresholds established for proscription due to their involvement in violent protests and significant criminal damage, including an incident that caused over £7 million in damages to military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton (GOV.UK). The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, emphasized that the government is committed to national security and that proscription is ideologically neutral, applying to any group that meets the criteria for terrorism (GOV.UK).

Following the announcement, the Metropolitan Police reported that 29 individuals were arrested during a protest in support of Palestine Action, highlighting that expressing support for the group is now a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison (BBC). The proscription order was confirmed after a court denied Palestine Action's request to block the ban, stating that the public interest in maintaining the order outweighed the group's claims (New York Times, Al Jazeera).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Palestine Action has been designated as a terrorist organization is robust. The official announcement from the UK government serves as a primary source, detailing the rationale behind the decision, including specific incidents of violence and property damage attributed to the group (GOV.UK). The Home Secretary's statements reinforce the government's position on national security and the legal framework under which the proscription was enacted.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this event is high. The UK government’s official website provides authoritative information regarding legal matters, while major news outlets like the BBC, New York Times, and Al Jazeera have reported on the events surrounding the proscription, including the legal challenges faced by Palestine Action (BBC, New York Times, Al Jazeera). These outlets are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking practices, lending credibility to their coverage.

However, it is important to note that the proscription has sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly from activists who argue that it infringes on the right to protest and free speech. Critics have described the government's actions as authoritarian, suggesting that the proscription may be politically motivated rather than solely based on security concerns (Al Jazeera, ITV). Nonetheless, the legal framework for proscription is clear, and the government has provided specific justifications for its decision.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK" is accurate. The UK government has officially designated Palestine Action as a terrorist group, following legal procedures and assessments of the group's activities that have been deemed harmful to national security. The evidence from reliable sources confirms that this designation is now in effect, making it illegal to support or be a member of the organization.

Fact Check: Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK.