Palestine Action has reportedly set up a “secret website” to recruit new members, despite being proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the government.
MPs voted overwhelmingly last week to back a motion making membership of or inviting support for Palestine Action an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000.
But organisers of the direct action group have claimed it will continue its campaign, which has included vandalism of RAF bases and Jewish-owned businesses, despite the ban.
According to a new report from the Telegraph, representatives of the group have reached out to potential recruits through the encrypted messaging app Signal.
Potential members have allegedly been added to a “new collective” called Direct Action Training, which urges them to “join the front line against Zionism”.
The message reportedly read: “While Palestine Action is banned, we do not want this draconian move from the Home Secretary to deter your dedication to your solidarity with Palestine.
“Direct action is for everyone, regardless of the name it falls under. We do believe that by staying focused and targeting the heart of the war machine again and again, the people will be able to shut the Zionist supply chain.”
Direct Action Training’s website was reportedly set up at 10.41pm on Friday, less than two hours before the ban on Palestine Action came into force, and is listed as being based in Iceland – a country that is not a member of any major surveillance agreements.
The site apparently offers recruits “training to bring the Zionist machine down brick by brick, wall by wall”, which it says will “specifically aimed at dismantling the Zionist war machine in the UK”.
Interested parties can register an “expression of interest” by completing a survey on their “dedication to the Palestinian cause”, as well as supplying their name, date of birth, phone number and email address, the report added.
According to the Telegraph, the website was set up with similar software and featured a similar survey that was used by Palestine Action when recruiting new members.
It comes after 29 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in the days following the proscription after allegedly expressing support for the group.
Protesters carrying signs and placards that indicated support for Palestine Action gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday, just hours after the ban took effect, but were arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorist Act 2000, which makes it a criminal offence to display support or wear clothing items that “arouse reasonable suspicion” of supporting proscribed groups. Among those detained was an 83-year-old retired priest.
Commenting on the arrests, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told the BBC: “The law doesn’t have an age limit, whether you’re 18 or 80. If you’re supporting proscribed organisations, then the law is going to be enforced.
“Officers, you could see, did it with great care and tried to preserve that person’s dignity, but they’re breaking a serious law.”
