US sanctions Palestine Action as a transnational terrorist group

Herz — World Desk · 26 August 2026 at 19:17 · 30s summary · 3 min read

What we know

The United States sanctioned Palestine Action on August 26, 2026, according to Al Jazeera and The Guardian. The US Treasury described the British direct-action organisation as a transnational terrorist group.

Washington designated it a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”, a US category covering actors considered connected to terrorist acts that threaten US citizens, national security, the economy or foreign policy.

The measures also target Masar Badil, described as an international pro-Palestinian movement, and Autistici Inventati. The Italy-based group provides digital services to left-wing organisations, including pro-Palestinian groups.

The sanctions freeze the organisations’ US assets. They also generally prohibit US citizens and entities from conducting transactions or doing business with them.

Washington’s stated reasons

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented the measures as action against far-left groups designated as terrorists. He said the United States would use economic tools to cut off their funding.

The Treasury attributes actions that injured British police officers to Palestine Action from July 2020 onwards. It also cites break-ins at defence infrastructure and military facilities.

US authorities put the damage to military equipment associated with those actions at millions of dollars. They also accuse the group of promoting its methods on social media.

The Treasury says Palestine Action encouraged similar tactics abroad, including in the United States and along the US-Mexico border.

Palestine Action’s position

Palestine Action says it uses direct-action tactics, including vandalism, to end what it considers complicity in Israel’s war in Gaza.

In the United Kingdom, its actions have mainly targeted factories operated by Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems and companies working with it.

In March 2025, protesters covered the clubhouse at Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland with graffiti. They also dug up the course and painted “Gaza is not 4 sale”.

A contested ban in the United Kingdom

In July 2025, Palestine Action became the first direct-action organisation banned under UK counterterrorism legislation. Rights advocates describe the decision as disproportionate.

Those advocates also say the ban threatens freedom of expression. Since it took effect, thousands of people have been arrested for publicly supporting the group.

Former UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper initiated the proscription on the recommendation of officials, who acknowledged its relatively unprecedented nature.

The proscription was based mainly on the use or threat of actions causing serious property damage.