The United States has imposed sanctions on the British activist group Palestine Action and the pro-Palestine international movement Masar Badil as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies a global crackdown on critics of Israel. The US Department of the Treasury also imposed financial penalties on Wednesday against Autistici Inventati, an Italy-based group that provides digital services to left-wing organisations, including pro-Palestine groups. Palestine Action, which has been locked in a legal battle with the United Kingdom after the British government proscribed it as a “terrorist” group, rejected the US sanctions.
Palestine Action cofounder Huda Ammori linked the US measures to the UK designation and called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reverse the ban on the group imposed by his predecessor Keir Starmer. Today that warning has proved to be well-founded,” it said. While such protests could break the law, rights advocates have argued that the “terrorism” designation is disproportionate and risks chilling free speech.
The UK has arrested thousands of people for showing support for Palestine Action since the group was proscribed last year. A British court revoked the designation in February, but the decision was overturned on appeal in June. Palestine Action has continued to challenge the ban, taking the case to the UK Supreme Court.
The Trump administration framed Wednesday’s sanctions as part of a push against what it called “far-left terrorist groups”. The US has been relying on sanctions to punish supporters of Palestinian rights across the world. Last year, the Trump administration imposed penalties on United Nations rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
Washington has also sanctioned International Criminal Court officials, including the tribunal’s president, Tomoko Akane.
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