British premier defends Palestine Action ban, citing ‘rigorous, evidence-based process’

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - British Premier Andy Burnham defended the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action on Wednesday, saying the decision followed a “rigorous and evidence-based process” and was endorsed by parliament.

Responding to a question from Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MP Claire Hanna, who raised concerns about the availability of Sally Rooney’s books in the UK and invited Burnham to review the ban, he declined to comment further, citing legal proceedings.

“We agree the scenes from Gaza and the West Bank are deeply distressing,” he said, adding that the foreign secretary (Ed Miliband) had taken action in response to developments threatening the viability of a two-state solution.

“We won't stand by when the viability of the two-state solution is threatened, and he's made a further statement in relation to that this week,” he said.

Addressing the proscription of Palestine Action, Burnham said the decision followed a “rigorous and evidence-based process” that parliament presented and endorsed.

“The matter is a live legal case, so I won't comment further than that,” he added.

The remarks came amid continued debate about the UK’s approach to pro-Palestinian activism and the legal challenges surrounding the proscription of the direct-action group.

Campaigners and civil liberties advocates have scrutinized the ban, and legal proceedings have raised questions about the government’s decision and its implications for protest and freedom of expression.

- What happened?

The Labour government, then led by Keir Starmer, banned Palestine Action under terrorism legislation in July 2025, making it the first direct-action group to be banned under the Terrorism Act in British history.

Palestine Action describes itself as a direct-action network targeting companies involved in supplying Israel’s military.

The activists broke into the RAF Brize Norton air base and spray-painted two military aircraft red, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.3 million) in damage.

Since the group was banned, Popular Irish novelist Sally Rooney has said she plans to direct earnings from her work to Palestine Action.

Lately, Rooney has agreed with her publisher to withdraw her books from sale in the United Kingdom, citing legal concerns about her public support for the group.

Meanwhile, terrorism-related arrests in the UK have surged by 1,553% to a record, with the vast majority linked to support for Palestine Action, according to new Home Office figures.

Police made 3,867 arrests for terrorism-related activity in the year ending June 2026, up from 234 in the previous 12-month period.

Of these, 3,630 arrests, around 94%, were linked to support for Palestine Action following the group’s proscription.

Aysu Biçer