Is the UK Government Overreaching by Banning ‘Palestine Action’?

3 July 2025

In a controversial move, the House of Commons has voted to proscribe the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, raising serious concerns about the implications for civil liberties and the right to protest.

The draft order, which amends the Terrorism Act 2000 to include Palestine Action on the list of banned groups, passed with 385 votes in favour. The government maintains that this decision will not infringe upon people’s right to protest.

However, many view this as a troubling precedent. Responding to the announcement, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, Sacha Deshmukh, strongly condemned the decision:

"Amnesty International condemns the Government's decision to ban Palestine Action under anti-terror laws, as an unprecedented legal overreach.

“Whatever MPs may think about whether Palestine Action’s tactics are appropriate or not, existing criminal laws, accompanied by human rights protections, were more than capable of responding to them. Instead of taking draconian measures to shut down direct action protesters and criminalise anyone who expresses support for their actions, the Government should be taking immediate and unequivocal action to put a stop to Israel’s genocide and end any risk of UK complicity in it.”

Independent MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, echoed these concerns in Parliament, stating:

“Instead of prosecuting (Palestine Action) for criminal damage, which is what is normally done, the home secretary is using the Terrorism Act to proscribe them as a terrorist group. This is an unprecedented and dangerous overreach of the state.”

Zarah Sultana, Independent MP

The decision will next be considered by the House of Lords, where it is expected to come up for final approval within days.

Meanwhile, several UN special rapporteurs have raised red flags, contacting the UK government to stress that protest actions involving property damage—but not intended to cause harm—should not be treated as acts of terrorism.

The designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist group represents a significant escalation beyond the criminalisation of protest. Legal experts and human rights organisations argue that it could have far-reaching consequences for freedom of expression and undermine the rule of law.

Not only does the proscription make membership in Palestine Action a criminal offence, it also risks silencing wider dissent. Vaguely defined offences such as “expression of support” or “glorification” may now place many activists—particularly those speaking out against the situation in Gaza—at legal risk.

Critics argue that this move places the UK in breach of its international human rights obligations, which require that counter-terrorism powers be used in a proportionate manner and only when absolutely necessary to pursue a legitimate goal.

As the decision awaits final approval, debate continues over whether the UK is protecting national security—or dangerously curbing fundamental freedoms.