84-year-old Reverend Sue Parfitt, a retired Anglican priest, and 13 others were arrested outside New Scotland Yard on Sunday for inviting police to join the banned direct action network Palestine Action. The arrests occurred under section 12 of the Terrorism Act, which carries up to 14 years in prison.
Background to the Ban
Former home secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed Palestine Action in June 2024 after two members broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced military aircraft, causing £7 million damage. The group said they "interrupted Britain's direct participation in genocide." Since then, Palestine Action has fought the ban through the courts, with mixed results. In February, the high court ruled the proscription was unlawful, but in June, five appeal judges overturned that decision, upholding the ban.
Last month, four Palestine Action activists received prison sentences of four to eight years for breaking into Elbit Systems UK, a British subsidiary of an Israeli arms manufacturer, and causing grievous bodily harm. The judge applied a "terrorist connection" to their sentences, a first for a property damage case.
Escalating Tactics
The campaign group Defend Our Juries has shifted tactics. Previously, holding cardboard signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" could result in six months jail. Now, activists assert membership of the proscribed group, an offence that must be heard before a jury and carries up to 14 years. Over 3,400 protesters have been arrested, but only 700 charged. Haroon Siddique, legal affairs correspondent, noted that campaigners are "daring the authorities to prosecute under section 11 or 12 because they might feel that if it goes to a jury trial, juries will acquit them."
Impact on Right to Protest
Civil liberties groups warn that the definition of terrorism is expanding dangerously. The Terrorism Act includes serious property damage, but lawyers argue it was never intended for groups like Palestine Action or Greenpeace. The Labour government has introduced further restrictions, including allowing police to consider "cumulative impact" of repeated protests and a new offence of concealing identity during protests. Research by Queen Mary University of London found custodial sentences for direct action are increasing in length and frequency, creating "a new breed of political prisoners."
Defend Our Juries observer Trudi Warner said: "These people were saying clearly 'We are not terrorists'. Palestine Action opposes genocide in Gaza – it takes its moral responsibility seriously. I would encourage the UK government to do likewise."
