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CTV News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
U.K. lawmakers approve ban of Palestine Action as terrorist group
LONDON -- British lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, after its activists broke into a military base and damaged two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Palestine Action, which describes itself as a direct action movement that uses disruptive methods, has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, which it has called its 'main target.' Britain's Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through action at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site last year and at the Royal Air Force base in southern England last month - the trigger for the decision to ban, or proscribe, the group. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization on a par with Islamic State or al Qaeda under British law, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Britain's proscription order will reach parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Thursday. If approved by lawmakers there, Palestine Action's ban would become effective in the following days. The group, which has called its proscription unjustified and an 'abuse of power,' has challenged the decision in court and an urgent hearing is expected on Friday. United Nations experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have urged Britain to reconsider its move, arguing that acts of property damage without the intention to endanger life should not be considered terrorism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, says that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, and that a zero-tolerance approach was necessary for national security. On Tuesday, the group said its activists had blocked the entrance to an Elbit site in Bristol, southwestern England, and that other members had occupied the rooftop of a subcontracting firm in Suffolk, eastern England, it said had links to Elbit. Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. In addition to Palestine Action, the proscription order approved by Britain's parliament includes neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist group which seeks to create a new Russian imperial state. The vote on the three groups was taken together, meaning all three had to be banned or none of them. (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Alison Williams)
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK lawmakers approve ban of Palestine Action as terrorist group after jet damage
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Protesters from Palestine Action routinely target companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, which the group has called its 'main target'. LONDON - British lawmakers voted on July 2 to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, after its activists broke into a military base and damaged two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Palestine Action, which describes itself as a direct action movement that uses disruptive methods, has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, which it has called its 'main target'. Britain's Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through action at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site in 2024 and at the Royal Air Force base in southern England in June - the trigger for the decision to ban, or proscribe, the group. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation on a par with Islamic State or Al-Qaeda under British law, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Britain's proscription order will reach Parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, on July 3. If approved by lawmakers there, Palestine Action's ban would become effective in the following days. The group, which has called its proscription unjustified and an 'abuse of power,' has challenged the decision in court and an urgent hearing is expected on July 4. United Nations experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have urged Britain to reconsider its move, arguing that acts of property damage without the intention to endanger life should not be considered terrorism. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, says that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, and that a zero-tolerance approach was necessary for national security. On July 1, the group said its activists had blocked the entrance to an Elbit site in Bristol, southwestern England, and that other members had occupied the rooftop of a subcontracting firm in Suffolk, eastern England, it said had links to Elbit. An activist from Palestine Action spraying a military aircraft engine with red paint at Britain's RAF Brize Norton air base, on June 20. PHOTO: REUTERS Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. In addition to Palestine Action, the proscription order approved by Britain's Parliament includes neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist group which seeks to create a new Russian imperial state. The vote on the three groups was taken together, meaning all three had to be banned or none of them. REUTERS
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK lawmakers approve ban of Palestine Action as terrorist group
LONDON: British lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, after its activists broke into a military base and damaged two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Palestine Action, which describes itself as a direct action movement that uses disruptive methods, has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, which it has called its 'main target.' Britain's Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through action at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site last year and at the Royal Air Force base in southern England last month — the trigger for the decision to ban, or proscribe, the group. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization on a par with Daesh or Al-Qaeda under British law, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Britain's proscription order will reach parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Thursday. If approved by lawmakers there, Palestine Action's ban would become effective in the following days. The group, which has called its proscription unjustified and an 'abuse of power,' has challenged the decision in court and an urgent hearing is expected on Friday. United Nations experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have urged Britain to reconsider its move, arguing that acts of property damage without the intention to endanger life should not be considered terrorism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, says that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, and that a zero-tolerance approach was necessary for national security. On Tuesday, the group said its activists had blocked the entrance to an Elbit site in Bristol, southwestern England, and that other members had occupied the rooftop of a subcontracting firm in Suffolk, eastern England, it said had links to Elbit. Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. In addition to Palestine Action, the proscription order approved by Britain's parliament includes neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist group which seeks to create a new Russian imperial state. The vote on the three groups was taken together, meaning all three had to be banned or none of them.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Protesters accuse government of ‘hypocrisy' over Palestine Action ban
The UK government is moving to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror organisation following incidents of vandalism, including at RAF Brize Norton. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that violence and serious criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, while the prime minister condemned the actions as disgraceful. Palestine Action and its supporters argue their direct actions are non-violent, justified, and effective in disrupting the flow of weapons from the UK to Israel. Protesters accuse the government of 'hypocrisy' and a "complete clampdown on the right to protest," highlighting the group's effectiveness in impacting companies like Elbit Systems. Proscription makes belonging to or supporting the organisation a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Palestine Action members charged after incident at Elbit Systems
Two members of Palestine Action, a group the government wants to reclassify as a terrorist organisation, have been charged after a protest at a defence and Somerset Police said India Kalff, 30, and 36-year-old Jordan Woodgate - both from London - have been jointly charged with criminal damage after the entrance to Bristol's Elbit Systems facility was blocked on Action allege that Elbit Systems UK is involved in the manufacture and supply of weapons to the Israeli military - a claim that the company strongly denies. Ms Kalff and Mr Woodgate have been released on conditional bail and will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 29 July. Earlier this week, a draft order was laid before Parliament requesting an amendment to the Terrorism Act 2000 to include Palestine Action as a proscribed approved, it would become a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to be a member of the direct action group or to support Action are seeking a legal challenge against the government's bid to proscribe it, with a hearing expected on Friday to decide whether the ban can be temporarily blocked, pending further proceedings to decide whether a legal challenge can be launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken then, 56,500 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
