MPs have voted 385 to 26 in favour of designating Palestine Action a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. The bill will be signed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and

could be enacted later this week.

It will be a criminal offence to belong to or support the group once it is enacted, with sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

A legal attempt to delay the order is already underway, with a hearing set for Friday at London's High Court. Palestine Action has been permitted to present its case before any final ruling.

The bill also targets two other groups: the Maniacs Murder Cult, a neo-Nazi organization, and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist ethno-nationalist organization.

The move follows a recent protest where Palestine Action protesters broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed red paint on two military planes. The action was branded "disgraceful" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Responding, Palestine Action claimed the government was likening its campaign of nonviolent resistance to terrorist extremist groups. The group accused some MPs of being bullied into supporting the order and said it was sure the decision would be overturned in court.

Defending the ban in Parliament, Security Minister Dan Jarvis claimed the activities of the group were escalating in violence and were being directed against a growing number of institutions like banks, charities, and universities.

It was also welcomed by Conservative MP Harriet Cross, who said the groups being proscribed have "nothing whatsoever to do with legitimate protest."

However, several Labour MPs were critical. Clive Lewis said the group's actions constituted direct action, not terrorism. Richard Burgon said the decision had the potential to criminalise thousands of peaceful supporters, including students, nurses, and pensioners.

The proscription order will now be tabled in the House of Lords on Thursday, where it will most likely be approved. Photo by UK Parliament, Wikimedia commons.