Palestine Action
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will issue guidance on what constitutes support for proscribed organisations in the context of the proscription of Palestine Action.
Answered by Dame Angela Eagle
The statutory framework governing proscription offences, including offences relating to support for a proscribed organisation, is contained in sections 11-13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
This applies consistently to all proscribed groups. Under that framework, it is a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation, or to display articles in a way that arouses reasonable suspicion of membership or support. Financial support is also criminalised in all its forms under sections 15-18 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
As this Government has always been clear, the proscription of Palestine Action does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause, which remains a fundamental democratic right. However, it is an offence where activity crosses the line into support for a proscribed organisation.
Decisions on whether a criminal offence has been committed are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, who are operationally independent of Government.
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