UK Palestine Activists Could Face Terrorism Sentences

Five pro-Palestine activists in the United Kingdom could face terrorism-related sentencing after being convicted of causing about £212,000 ($290,000) in damage to a Barclays bank branch in Burnley, Lancashire, in August 2024.

The activists — Brendon O’Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik and 70-year-old Alma Yaniv — were protesting Barclays’ alleged financial links to Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.

A court in Preston is expected to decide whether a “terrorist connection” should be attached to their criminal-damage convictions. Their sentencing is scheduled for September 4.

The activists were not charged with terrorism, and at the time of their trial, Palestine Action had not yet been officially banned as a terrorist organisation. Their lawyers argue that applying terrorism-related sentencing rules retrospectively is highly unusual.

Criminal lawyer Raj Chada said he was aware of the law being used in recent cases involving Palestine Action activists but described its application as “very, very unusual.”

Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK government in July 2025. According to the campaign group Defend Our Juries, more than 3,500 people have since been arrested for showing support for the organisation.

Supporters of the five activists are expected to gather outside Preston Crown Court, arguing that protesting against alleged genocide and seeking to prevent loss of life should not be treated as terrorism.

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