US SANCTIONS PALESTINE ACTION, LABELS GROUP ‘GLOBAL TERRORIST’
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The United States has designated UK-based Palestine Action as a “specially designated global terrorist” organisation and imposed sanctions on the group.
The US government said the designation was based on allegations that the group supported an act of terrorism.
Founded in 2020, Palestine Action is currently challenging a ban imposed by the British government. The proscription has led to thousands of arrests and drawn criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that it unfairly restricts political dissent.
Palestine Action says its objective is to end what it describes as international support for Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
The group gained wider attention following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas fighters in southern Israel.
The latest US action is part of a broader campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration against organisations it characterises as far-left groups.
The US also designated Italy-based Autistici/Inventati, known as the A/I Collective, and the pro-Palestinian group Masar Badil as terrorist organisations.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott described the three organisations as “violent far-left terrorist groups.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would deploy its financial powers to target the organisations.
“Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated,” Bessent said.
The designations have drawn attention amid broader concerns over restrictions on political activism and dissent. Amnesty International had earlier criticised the leaders of the United States, Israel and Russia over what it described as the emergence of a “predatory” global order characterised by crackdowns on dissent.
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