Five activists involved in the Barclays Bank protest in England face a critical court ruling that could classify their criminal damage as acts of terrorism.

  • Five Palestine Action activists face potential terrorism-linked sentencing.
  • The protest targeted Barclays Bank over its links to Elbit Systems.
  • Legal experts warn this is an 'unusual' application of anti-terror laws.

Preston, United Kingdom: In a legal development that has sent shockwaves through the activist community, five members of Palestine Action are awaiting a landmark ruling. The Preston Crown Court is set to decide whether the activists, convicted of causing £212,000 in damages to a Barclays Bank branch in August 2024, should face sentencing under terrorism-related laws.

The defendants—Brendon O’Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik, and Alma Yaniv—were protesting the bank's financial ties to the Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. While the damage was significant, the core controversy lies in the legal reclassification of these acts from criminal damage to terrorism-linked offenses.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of protest rights and national security laws. By applying terrorism sentencing to activists whose actions predated the group's official proscription, the UK judiciary is testing the boundaries of how political dissent is criminalized in the modern era.

Using terrorism laws in this manner is highly unusual and appears to be specifically targeting Palestine Action activists.

Leading criminal lawyer Raj Chada has expressed grave concerns, noting that while 'terrorist connection' laws have existed for years, their recent application seems isolated to cases involving Palestine Action. This raises questions about whether the law is being used as a tool for political targeting rather than public safety.

Historical Context of Proscription

The legal landscape for Palestine Action shifted dramatically in July 2025 when lawmakers officially proscribed the group, placing it on the same legal footing as organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIL. Since then, thousands of supporters have been arrested during mass demonstrations in London, often for simple acts of solidarity or peaceful sit-ins.

Did You Know?: The group 'Defend Our Juries' has noted that many of those arrested for supporting Palestine Action are over the age of 60.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the specific cause of the Barclays protest?
Activists were protesting Barclays Bank's shareholdings in Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company.

2. Is Palestine Action currently a banned organization in the UK?
Yes, the group was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July 2025.