Over a year later, authorities have charged six of those involved with terrorism offenses. Their actions are connected to Palestine Action, an organization that was federally designated a terrorist organization this past July. This official designation renders any membership or financial support for Palestine Action a crime under UK law. terrorism, it classifies Palestine Action next to well-known, established terror groups such as Hamas, al Qaeda and ISIS.
The Counter Terrorism Command of London’s Metropolitan Police force has taken the lead in investigating the group’s activities. As such, they have prosecuted them criminally. Authorities arrested four people between the ages of 26 and 62 for reportedly planning protests. They organized Red Watch-style Zoom calls to build solidarity with Palestine Action. The legal fees cover 13 Zoom meetings between July and August. At each one of these meetings, the organizers worked day and night to build support for their group.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan said it is a significant step in the investigation, calling the incident “grave.”
“Palestine Action is clearly proscribed as a terrorist group, and those showing support for this particular group, or encouraging others to do so can expect to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.” – Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan
Palestine Action has been drawing headlines with its militant direct action. The coalition is working to shut down the business of US arms makers who equip the Israeli state. In June, two members of the protest group pulled off a dramatic break-in to Britain’s biggest air base. They managed to seriously damage two military aircraft with their brazen incursion.
On Tuesday, a seventh suspect was charged in relation to a parallel police inquiry in Scotland. This followed on the heels of six people being charged Wednesday, as part of the continued Palestine Action case. As part of a wider clampdown on the gang’s operations, police have arrested more than 700 individuals. They’ve criminalised 114 people for protests associated with Palestine Action this past summer.
Palestine Action recently won the right to challenge its proscription, with a High Court hearing to take place this November. This lawsuit will be the first to really challenge the government’s classification of this group, which has been a response to enormous outcry.
On Thursday, six of those people entered the courtroom to face their charges. These charges are related to a July 2020 protest at Elbit Systems, a company with ties to Israel. As these investigations play out, police are on the lookout for actions connected to Palestine Action and other similar groups.
