Six charged with terrorism offences over support for Palestine Action

Six people have been charged with terrorism offences relating to encouraging support for banned group Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police said.

The charges relate to public gatherings held in London, Manchester and Cardiff that took place over the summer, as well as a planned demonstration this weekend in London.

The six were charged on Wednesday as part of an investigation being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

It comes ahead of a planned protest on Saturday where organisers have said they are expecting more than 1,000 people to attend a rally near Parliament.

The offences relate to allegedly arranging public demonstrations as well as managing 13 Zoom meetings, between July and August in support of the proscribed group.

All six were previously arrested on Tuesday at various locations in London, Cumbria and South Yorkshire. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Another man was also charged on Tuesday as part of a connected investigation being led by Police Scotland.

Det Ch Supt Helen Flanagan said the charges had come about as a result of a “proactive investigation” into suspected activity linked to Palestine Action.

She added there are “potentially serious consequences” for those who are found guilty of an offence under the Terrorism Act.

“Palestine Action is clearly proscribed as a terrorist group, and those showing support for this particular group, or encouraging others to do so can expect to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted,” she said.

On Tuesday, Campaign group Defend Our Juries said the arrests of its spokespeople was “scandalous” but said it still expected more than 1,000 people to attend the demonstration on Saturday where they would hold signs signs declaring “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.

More than 700 people have been arrested by the Met since Palestine Action’s proscription on 5 July.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper banned the group under terrorism laws after paint was daubed on jets at RAF Brize Norton. Police said the act caused £7m of damage.

Lawyers for the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, have argued that the ban breaches the right to free speech and has gagged legitimate protest.

The government says the ban is justified because it narrowly targets a group that was organising serious criminality.

Membership or support for Palestine Action is now an offence that can lead to up to 14 years in prison.

Last month, the group won permission to challenge the ban, with the case to be heard at the High Court in November.

The judge refused an appeal to temporarily lift the ban and it remains proscribed before a full review at the High Court in November.