UK MPs vote to label Palestine Action as terrorist group

MPs have approved a plan to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group. Legal action is underway to block the order temporarily, with a hearing scheduled at London's High Court on Friday. Once in effect, supporting Palestine Action will be a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The order is expected to be signed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and come into effect later this week.

MPs voted in favor of legislation to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, passing by 385 votes to 26. Palestine Action has been granted a hearing pending further proceedings to decide on a legal challenge. The order also proscribes Maniacs Murder Cult, a white supremacist, neo-Nazi organization, and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist, ethno-nationalist organization.

Following the MPs' vote, four people were arrested in a protest organized by Palestine Action outside Westminster. The move to proscribe Palestine Action was taken after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last month and sprayed two planes with red paint, an incident branded 'disgraceful' by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The government says Palestine Action meets the criteria for terrorism, which involves the use or threat of serious violence or damage to property to influence any government or intimidate the public for a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause. In a statement, Palestine Action expressed confidence that the order would be overturned.

Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis presented the order to the House of Commons, emphasizing that the group's public attention should not be confused with legitimacy. Conservative MP Harriet Cross supported the government's move, stating that the groups facing proscription have nothing to do with legitimate protest.

Labour backbenchers questioned the action, suggesting that dealing with the group through criminal legislation might be more proportionate. The proscription order will now go before the Lords on Thursday for further consideration.