Conflict & Security
Palestine Action designated terrorist group by US
The United States designated the UK-based Palestine Action group as a “specially designated global terrorist” organization on Wednesday and issued sanctions against it.
The US Treasury said the move was for supporting “an act of terrorism.” The US action also designated Italy-based Autistici/Inventati, also known as A/I Collective, and the pro-Palestinian group Masar Badil as terrorist organizations.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggot called the three groups “violent far-left terrorist groups.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would bring “the full weight of our economic tools to bear” against far-left groups.
Palestine Action was set up in 2020 and is appealing against a UK government ban that has led to thousands of arrests. Rights groups have criticised the ban, saying it was aimed at criminalising dissent.
Palestine Action says on its website that its goal is to end “global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime.”
US President Donald Trump, since coming to power for his second term, has issued orders for his government to designate what it terms “far-left” groups as terrorist organizations.
Update
The US also designated Italy-based Autistici/Inventati, also known as A/I Collective, and pro-Palestinian group Masar Badil as terrorist organizations.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggot called all three groups “violent far-left terrorist groups.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would use economic tools against far-left groups.
Rights groups have criticised the UK ban on Palestine Action, saying it criminalises dissent.
Palestine Action says its stated goal is to end global participation in what it calls Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime.
Source note: AFP news report published on 26 August 2026 at 15:53:13 UTC.
Update
The US Treasury issued sanctions against Palestine Action.
The Treasury said the sanctions were for supporting “an act of terrorism.”
Palestine Action was set up in 2020.
The group is appealing against a UK government ban that has led to thousands of arrests.
Source note: AFP news report published on 26 August 2026 at 15:36:02 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The specific act of terrorism cited by the US Treasury was not identified.
Palestine Action's appeal against the UK ban remains unresolved.
Source
AFP news report published on .