LONDON: The ban on Palestine Action has led to people in the UK being wrongly labeled as extremists, and the anti-terrorism Prevent program risks being overwhelmed, a member of the Home Office’s homeland security group has warned.
Prevent duty, established in 2015, mandates certain British authorities, such as education and health, to report concerns about individuals who are vulnerable to radicalization.
The official, who works closely with Prevent, told The Guardian that the proscription of Palestine Action has confused counterterrorism police, officials, schools, and hospitals. They expressed concern that individuals supporting Palestine advocacy, but not Palestine Action, are wrongly labeled as extremists, and that supporters of Palestine Action are referred to Prevent despite posing no threat.
Co-founder of Palestine Action Huda Ammori is suing former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper this week for her decision to designate the group under anti-terror laws in July.
“I’m concerned about a surge in referrals to the Prevent system that might have a link to Palestine advocacy in light of the fact that this very high-profile group is now proscribed, and the confusion there might be on the frontline in schools and healthcare settings and all the other places that are expected to make Prevent referrals.
