THE TERRORISM ACT 2000:
A TOOL OF BRITISH IMPERIALISM TO CRIMINALISE ANTI-IMPERIALIST, ANTI-FASCIST AND ANTI-ZIONIST ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS
Twenty-five years ago, following the events of September 11, the U.S. government launched a so-called “war on terror” targeting countries and organisations that opposed U.S. imperialist hegemony. Almost immediately, these governments and movements were branded as “terrorist,” and the British government quickly followed suit—eager to affirm its “special relationship” with the United States.
This campaign provided the pretext for the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and for direct or indirect acts of imperialist violence in many other regions. These interventions were justified with lofty rhetoric: bringing democracy, establishing peace, protecting women’s rights, eliminating weapons of mass destruction. But the truth emerged—sooner for some, later for others. By then, hundreds of thousands—if not millions—had suffered. Countries were destroyed and divided, their resources plundered above and below ground.
Just days ago, British MPs voted to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Why?
Because through its actions, Palestine Action became the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people in the UK. It forced the heavily censored British mainstream media to pay attention. This unsettled the real power behind the puppet Prime Minister. The deep ties between the British establishment and Zionist interests are well known and extensively documented. Their influence is powerful enough to sway party leaders and even governments.
Let us consider how the British state defines “terrorism” under the Terrorism Act 2000:
“Terrorism,” as defined in Section 1 of the Act, includes the use or threat of action involving serious violence against a person, serious damage to property, endangering life (other than that of the person committing the act), creating serious risk to public health or safety, or disrupting electronic systems. Such actions must be intended to influence the government or intimidate the public and must be done for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause.
The key word here is “serious.” If your actions become serious—effective, disruptive, and challenging to the establishment—you become a threat. Standing on a soapbox in Hyde Park Corner and shouting your grievances is tolerated. That’s the illusion of bourgeois “democracy” at work: you’re free to say what you like, as long as you don’t act on it.
By this very definition, the UK, the U.S., and Israel have all committed terrorist acts in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and countless other nations. These acts of terror continue to this day. Israel has been condemned by international human rights organisations, the UN, the European Court of Human Rights, and—most significantly—billions of people across the world. Yet, there is no meaningful condemnation from the British state. Silence reigns. But when ordinary people take action, they are swiftly branded as “terrorists.”
This is hypocrisy, plain and simple.
According to the UK government, shooting babies, children, and civilians, demolishing homes, hospitals, schools, and committing genocide in Gaza is tolerable. But damaging weapons infrastructure or splashing red paint on companies that profit from war crimes is terrorism.
This is the naked face of imperialism.
What imperialism wants is a silent, ignorant, passive, and obedient population.
We, the Anti-Imperialist Front, will never remain silent in the face of injustice. We stand in full solidarity with all individuals and organisations that have the courage and conscience to oppose imperialism, fascism, and Zionism.
We condemn the British government’s attempts to criminalise Palestine Action and similar groups.
Palestine Will Be Free—From the River to the Sea!
Long Live the Resistance!
Down with Imperialism, Fascism, and Zionism!
Anti-Imperialist Front
