What's happened
The UK government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization following protests and direct actions targeting arms manufacturers and military sites. The ban has led to mass arrests and legal challenges, raising concerns over restrictions on peaceful protest and human rights. The Council of Europe urges a review of police powers and legislation.
What's behind the headline?
The UK government's proscription of Palestine Action marks a significant escalation in its response to pro-Palestinian protests. While the government frames the ban as necessary to prevent criminal damage and threats to national security, it risks undermining fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and free speech. The mass arrests—nearly 500 in recent protests—highlight a shift toward overpolicing, which the Council of Europe warns could violate human rights obligations. The legislation allowing authorities to impose restrictions based on the 'cumulative impact' of protests further threatens civil liberties, especially as critics argue it could be used to suppress dissent under the guise of security. The legal challenge by Palestine Action's co-founder underscores the tension between security measures and democratic freedoms. The broader context involves ongoing debates over the UK's counter-terrorism laws, with concerns that recent legislative changes, including the Police Crime and Courts Act 2022 and Public Order Act 2023, have expanded police powers excessively. The situation reflects a global trend where governments prioritize security over civil liberties, often at the expense of legitimate protest movements. The outcome will likely influence future protest rights and the balance between security and freedom in the UK.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the UK proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group after protests targeting military sites, with the government citing criminal damage and threats to security. The article highlights the mass arrests and legal challenges, including the ban's potential breach of free speech rights. The Guardian emphasizes concerns over overpolicing and legislation that could restrict peaceful protests, with the Council of Europe urging a review of UK laws to prevent excessive limits on civil liberties. Both sources underline the tension between security measures and human rights, with The Independent focusing on the group's direct actions and legal battles, while The Guardian discusses broader legislative implications and the role of international oversight. The New Arab adds that the Council of Europe is alarmed by the number of arrests and calls for a comprehensive review, framing the issue within a human rights context. Overall, the sources collectively portray a UK government increasingly using legal tools to suppress activism, raising questions about the future of protest rights in Britain.
How we got here
Palestine Action was founded in 2020 to protest against arms manufacturers, especially Elbit Systems, which supplies military equipment to Israel. The group has engaged in direct actions, including breaking into facilities and spray-painting sites linked to arms sales. The UK government designated it as a terrorist organization in July 2025, citing criminal damage and protests. This move followed a series of protests and direct actions, including damaging military aircraft and targeting sites connected to Elbit Systems. The legislation and police powers have been increasingly scrutinized for potentially infringing on civil liberties, with the Council of Europe raising concerns about mass arrests and overreach.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Shabana Mahmood is a British Labour Party politician and barrister serving as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Ladywood since 2010. She has served in the Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer as the Labour Party National Campaign Coordinator since 2021.
-
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian protest network that uses direct action tactics to shut down and disrupt multinational arms dealers. In particular, the group targets UK-based operations that provide weapons used in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
-
The Council of Europe is an international organisation whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.