The US Department of the Treasury designated Palestine Action, a UK-based activist group, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization on August 26, 2026, freezing its assets within US jurisdiction and barring Americans from business with the group [1, 2, 3, 4]. Founded in 2020, Palestine Action focuses on direct action disrupting companies linked to Israel's defense industry, particularly Elbit Systems [1, 2, 3, 4].

The UK had previously proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025. That ban is currently being challenged and will face appeal before the UK Supreme Court in November 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].

US officials characterize Palestine Action as a violent far-left extremist group that promotes attacks on defense infrastructure and engages in political terrorism. A US State Department spokesperson said all three groups sanctioned today, including Palestine Action, are "violent far-left terrorist groups" [2, 3, 5]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added, "There will be no refuge for violent extremists who wage war on our civilisation and plot to undermine law and order, destroy critical infrastructure, assault political opponents, or conspire to conceal their crimes from authorities" [5].

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "Far-left extremists, their fronts, and their enablers should be on notice: we will bring the full weight of our economic tools to bear. Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated" [2]. The sanctions are implemented under Executive Order 13224, enacted after the 9/11 attacks to target terrorism-linked entities [2, 3, 4].

Palestine Action rejects the terrorism label. Co-founder Huda Ammori said the group’s actions aim to "save lives by disrupting the Israeli war machine, which is committing a genocide in Gaza with the support of the US government." She called the US designation "a wake-up call to anyone who cares about free speech and civil liberties" [2].

The US sanctions also target two other far-left or pro-Palestinian groups: Italy-based Autistici/Inventati and Masar Badil [2, 5]. Israel welcomed the US designation, stating terrorist organizations exploit Western civil society [5].

The UK Supreme Court is set to hear the appeal against Palestine Action’s proscription in November 2026 [1, 2].