The British Parliament voted to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation on Wednesday.
The draft decree amending the Terrorism Act 2000 and banning the group, presented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, was passed by The House of Commons by 385 votes to 26.
Once the ban comes into force, any support for the banned organisation will be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Cooper said that Palestine Action had “organised a nationwide campaign of direct criminal action” against British defence companies. The minister also emphasised that Palestine Action’s activities meet the legal definition of terrorism because they include “serious damage to property.”
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian movement that carries out direct action to undermine military support for Israel in the UK. Cooper announced her intention to ban Palestine Action on June 23.
Earlier, onJune 20, activists splashed red paint on military aircraft at Brize Norton, the UK’s largest airbase in Oxfordshire, to protest against British support for Israel in the war in the Gaza Strip.
