The US Treasury Department has designated the British activist group Palestine Action as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This classification, issued on Wednesday, adds Palestine Action to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, citing accusations of the group supporting multiple acts of terrorism since its formation. The designation is based on Executive Order 13224, which permits sanctions against individuals or entities that provide support to designated terrorists. In response, co-founder Huda Ammori criticized the decision as hypocritical, citing historical US actions in the Middle East. Additionally, the Treasury sanctioned Masar Badil and its leaders, alleging connections to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is recognized as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US. The US Treasury’s actions form part of a broader initiative against what it describes as violent far-left terrorist networks.
Why It Matters
The designation of Palestine Action coincides with the UK government’s prior classification of the group as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act in July 2025, following protests that included vandalism at a Royal Air Force base. Palestine Action, founded in 2020, aims to oppose Israel’s policies, framing its mission as ending global support for what it describes as an apartheid regime. The US designation aligns with ongoing international debates regarding the classification of activist groups and the implications of labeling political dissent as terrorism, highlighting the complex relationship between activism, national security, and international relations.
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