The claim is made in a letter to the leader of Glasgow City Council explaining why Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
Dan Jarvis, security minister at the Home Office, replied to Susan Aitken, who had contacted the government on behalf of the council, asking about the ban.
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He said the proscription of Palestine Action “is not about protest or the Palestinian cause”.
The minister said: “There are many lawful ways to support Palestinian rights and sovereignty without being a member or supporter of this harmful organisation.”
Jarvis told the leader of the council lawful protest is a “fundamental right” and pro-Palestinian rallies have taken place in London and around the UK
He added: “No one should let the urgent and desperate calls for peace in the Middle East to be diverted or derailed into a campaign for one narrow group involved in violence here, in the UK.
“The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is a freedom that we protect fiercely and always will.
“We must not conflate Palestine Action’s activity with legitimate pro-Palestinian support.”
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He referred to protests in Glasgow by Palestine Action, where he said activists caused criminal damage.
Jarvis said: “The extent of damage across three attacks at Thales in Glasgow in 2022 and at Instro Precision in Kent and Elbit Systems in Bristol in 2024 alone runs into the millions of pounds.
“In the Sheriff’s sentencing remarks concerning the attack in Glasgow, it was noted that ‘throwing pyrotechnics into areas where people are being evacuated could hardly be described as non-violent’.”
He suggested the Government and security services have more “disturbing” information about future “attacks”
Jarvis said: “The Sheriff further recorded the extent of damage to legitimate business activities which included ‘matters of national security’. Some may think Palestine Action are a regular protest group known for occasional stunts.
“But that is not the extent of this group’s past activities. Nor does it reflect disturbing information referencing ideas for future attacks, the details of which cannot yet be publicly reported.”
He added that Palestine Action has carried out an “escalating campaign involving not just sustained criminal damage, including to Britain’s national security infrastructure, but also intimidation and, more recently, alleged violence”.
He said this included the use of weapons including the use of weapons leading to serious injury to people.
Jarvis concluded: “The first duty of government is to keep our country safe and it is right that we are able to take action against those who engage in activity that threatens our national security.
“I trust this clarifies the Government’s position.”
