UK
Majority of Labour members oppose ‘misjudged’ Palestine Action terror ban
Seven in ten Labour members say that outlawing the terror group is ‘wrong’
August 18, 2025 12:06
Seven in ten Labour members say that outlawing the terror group is ‘wrong’
August 18, 2025 12:06Seven in ten Labour members think it was wrong for the government to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group, while nearly half are in favour of an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, irrespective of ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
Asked whether the government was “right or wrong” to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group, 71 per cent of Labour members polled said it was wrong, 21 per cent said it was right, and eight per cent answered, “don’t know”, according to research carried out by pollsters Survation and published by pro-Labour news site LabourList.
Labour Party members aged 18 to 24 and over 65 were the most likely to oppose proscription, according to the data.
The government proscribed Palestine Action last month after members of the group were linked to allegations of serious assault on staff and police officers, and after the group claimed responsibility for a June break-in at RAF Brize Norton causing an estimated £7 million in damages.
Last August, a police officer was taken to hospital after allegedly being hit with a sledgehammer while responding to reports of criminal damage when activists broke into the Bristol headquarters of defence technology firm Elbit Systems.
Proscription of the direct-action group has made membership or support of it a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment.
Since the ban, more than 700 people have been arrested for allegedly showing their support, including 522 in Parliament Square earlier this month. Many of that number held up placards reading: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Thirteen more people arrested on Saturday by Norfolk Police on suspicion of showing support for the group.
Writing in The Observer at the weekend, the Home Secretary said the group has claimed responsibility for incidents that saw those allegedly involved charged with crimes including violent disorder and aggravated burglary.
Yvette Cooper said Palestine Action is more than "a regular protest group known for occasional stunts" and that the Crown Prosecution Service had assessed a "terrorism connection".
The Metropolitan Police said arrangements have been put in place “that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary”.
Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, warned: “People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions.”
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley added: “If necessary, we are able to investigate and quickly charge significant numbers of people each week if people want the potentially life-changing consequences of a terrorist conviction.”
The LabourList poll also asked members about their position on the government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire.
Almost half (48 per cent) of members polled said the government should immediately recognise a Palestinian state; 20 per cent said the government should recognise a Palestinian state but only if there is a ceasefire and the hostages are returned; and three per cent said the government should never recognise such a state.
Survation polled more than 1,000 readers of Labourlist who identified themselves as Labour Party members.
Damian Lyons Lowe, chief executive of Survation, said the findings showed a “disconnect” between Labour’s grassroots and the government on proscribing Palestine Action.
"It’s evident that many feel this decision was either disproportionate or politically misjudged,” he said.
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