Yvette Cooper Defends Terrorist Ban on Palestine Action Amid 60 New Charges

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has reaffirmed the ban on Palestine Action, labeling the group as a terrorist organization rather than a routine protest movement.

In an article for the Observer, Cooper highlighted incidents claimed by the group that resulted in charges ranging from violent disorder to aggravated burglary. She noted that the Crown Prosecution Service has identified a "terrorism connection" in these cases.

The Metropolitan Police announced that 60 additional individuals will face prosecution for supporting Palestine Action, bringing the total arrests since the government proscribed the group on 5 July to over 700.

Cooper pointed to attacks on arms companies and cited damage estimated at £7 million to jets at RAF Brize Norton to justify the ban. She also referenced the group’s so-called "Underground Manual," which she said offers guidance on forming cells, selecting targets, and evading law enforcement.

"These are not the actions of a legitimate protest group," Cooper stated, adding that some sympathizers may not realize the group’s violent tactics.

Under the ban, membership in or support for Palestine Action carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. The group is set to challenge the designation in the High Court in November, arguing it restricts free speech and lawful protest.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized the ban and the scale of the police response, calling it disproportionate and a threat to freedom of expression.

The UK is not a major arms supplier to Israel but does provide components for the F-35 jets used in Gaza. The RAF has conducted surveillance flights over Gaza from Cyprus, though officials insist no intelligence has been shared with the Israeli military.

Cooper argues that Palestine Action’s coordinated attacks and instructional materials cross the line from protest into terrorism, making legal proscription and prosecutions necessary.

This topic was reported by BBC.

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