US designates Palestine Action a terrorist group

The United States government has formally designated Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist group, as a terrorist organisation — following the United Kingdom, which banned the group under anti-terror legislation in 2025.

About Palestine Action

Palestine Action is a direct-action group that has carried out protests and property damage at companies it accuses of supplying weapons to Israel. The UK proscribed the group in 2025, making membership or support a criminal offence. The US designation carries similar legal consequences for American citizens or entities providing material support to the organisation.

Political implications

The dual designation reflects coordinated action among Western allies. Critics argue that Palestine Action's activities — primarily property damage at arms manufacturers — constitute legitimate protest rather than terrorism. The designation is expected to intensify debate over the boundaries of political protest amid ongoing tensions over the conflict in Gaza.