US Labels UK's Palestine Action a Terror Group
Is this a necessary crackdown on extremism or politically motivated protection of weapons suppliers?
Above: Protests in support of Palestine Action outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, on July 30. Image credit: Zeynep Demir/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Far-left extremists and their enablers have been operating with impunity for too long. Putting Palestine Action on the same list as Hamas and al-Qaeda sends a clear message that political terrorism has no place in American society. The U.S. Treasury is cutting the financial lifelines of violent groups before they cause more damage.
Establishment-critical narrative
Labeling Palestine Action a terrorist organization while de-listing a Syrian government run by a former al-Qaeda head exposes the designation as pure political theater. Palestine Action's acts amount to civil disobedience, while the U.S. Treasury's is aimed at protecting weapons suppliers tied to a military campaign, not keeping Americans safe.