US sanctions Palestine Action and other left-wing groups
Al Jazeera Staff
The US has imposed financial sanctions on Palestine Action, Masar Badil, and Autistici Inventati amid a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices. The groups have rejected the measures, with activists warning they threaten civil liberties and are inspired by the UK's ban on Palestine Action.
The United States has imposed sanctions on the British activist group Palestine Action and the international pro-Palestinian movement Masar Badil, as President Donald Trump's administration intensifies a global campaign against critics of Israel.
On August 26, the US Treasury Department also announced financial sanctions against Autistici Inventati, an Italy-based organization that provides digital services to left-wing groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations.
Palestine Action, which is embroiled in a legal battle with the British government after being classified as a "terrorist" group, has rejected the US sanctions. Co-founder Huda Ammori linked Washington's measures to the UK's decision and called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reverse the ban imposed by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
"The fact that Trump is taking inspiration from the UK's crackdown on the movement for Palestinian freedom shows how dangerous this ban is and should be a wake-up call for anyone who cares about free speech and civil liberties," Ammori told Al Jazeera.
She also criticized Starmer's government for using anti-terrorism laws for the first time in British history to ban a group engaging in direct protest action, creating "a template for authoritarian governments worldwide to suppress dissent and criminalize British citizens who travel or live abroad."
The UK civil rights organization Defend Our Juries echoed Ammori's views. It argued that Starmer's ban had "encouraged Trump to escalate domestic attacks on civil liberties," while accusing the British government of bowing to the arms industry and pro-Israel lobbying groups.
Palestine Action says it uses direct action tactics, including vandalism, to end what it describes as complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza. While these actions may break the law, human rights advocates argue that labeling them "terrorism" is an overreach that risks stifling free speech.
The UK has arrested thousands of people for expressing support for Palestine Action since the group was banned last year. A UK court overturned the ban in February, but the ruling was reversed on appeal in June. Palestine Action is now appealing to the Supreme Court.
The Trump administration described the sanctions as part of an effort against so-called "extreme left-wing terrorist groups." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: "Left-wing extremists, front organizations and their enablers should know: we will bring to bear every economic tool. Political terrorism has no place in our society."
The sanctions freeze the groups' assets in the US and prohibit American citizens from engaging in financial transactions with them. Washington has also recently applied similar measures to individuals advocating for Palestinian rights, including Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur, and officials of the International Criminal Court, including Chief Prosecutor Tomoko Akane.
