UK Police Charge Three People After Palestine Action Ban

British police announced on Thursday that they had charged the first three individuals in England and Wales with supporting the activist group Palestine Action since it was banned under anti-terrorism legislation.

Two women and one man were charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 following their arrest at a protest in central London on 5 July, according to the Metropolitan Police.

A spokesperson for the Met confirmed that seven charges have already been made in Scotland, which operates under a separate legal system.

Upcoming Protest and Police Warning

The announcement comes ahead of a planned demonstration in support of Palestine Action outside the UK Parliament on Saturday. Organisers expect more than 500 people to attend.

Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counter-terrorism department, issued a warning:

“I would strongly advise anyone planning to come to London this weekend to show support for Palestine Action to think about the potential criminal consequences of their actions.”

Charged Individuals and Legal Proceedings

Murphy also indicated that further charges are likely:

“We are… planning to send case files to the Crown Prosecution Service for the other 26 people arrested on the same day.”

Background: The Ban and Legal Context

The UK government banned Palestine Action days after several activists broke into an air force base in southern England.

Prosecutors reported that the activists caused an estimated £7 million (approximately $9.3 million) worth of damage to two aircraft.

Membership of, or support for, the group is now a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

In late July, a judge ruled that Palestine Action’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, could mount a legal challenge to overturn the ban.

Summary of Key Facts

The ongoing legal actions and protest plans underline heightened tensions surrounding Palestine Action’s activities, as the UK government seeks to enforce the ban strictly.