US designates Palestine Action a terrorist group

The United States has labeled Palestine Action as a terrorist group and imposed sanctions against the UK-based organization. The Treasury Department accused Palestine Action of supporting numerous acts of terrorism since July 2020, including incidents that injured UK law enforcement personnel and intended to intimidate commercial enterprises and coerce the UK government.

The group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, expressed outrage over the US designation, calling it hypocritical, as the country which destroyed her homelands is now labeling her a terrorist. Ammori's group argued that their actions were always about saving lives and warned that the ban should serve as a wake-up call for those who value free speech and democracy.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that far-left extremists and their enablers will face economic consequences, vowing to use all economic tools to target such groups. The US move is part of a broader crackdown on far-left terror organizations worldwide, as announced by the Trump administration. Palestine Action, known for its direct action tactics against Israeli-linked arms companies in the UK, is currently battling to overturn the UK ban.

A June ruling by the Court of Appeal upheld the legality of the UK government's action, citing justified and proportionate interference with freedom of expression rights. However, Palestine Action has since been granted permission to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Four of its members were imprisoned in June for a break-in at a defense firm that caused over £1 million in damages, with one individual sentenced for causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer struck by a sledgehammer.