Kathmandu— The United States has designated Palestine Action, a UK-based left-wing group, as a global terrorist organization on Wednesday, marking the first time a British organization of this type has been targeted by US terrorism sanctions. The Treasury Department also blacklisted Masar Badil, a Palestinian revolutionary movement, and Autistici Inventati, an Italy-based entity providing digital services to extremist groups. These actions will freeze any US assets held by the organizations and potentially bar members from entering the country, as part of a broader strategy to counter what the US identifies as growing threats from violent far-left extremism.

Expanding Definition of Terrorism

The US Treasury Department’s move reflects an evolving understanding of terrorist threats, with its 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy identifying “Violent Left-Wing Extremists” – including anarchists and anti-fascists – as a top three terror risk alongside drug cartels and Islamist terrorists. This designation follows the State Department's late 2025 decision to label four European ‘Antifa’ groups as terrorist organizations, signaling an increased focus on far-left extremism as a national security concern.

Palestine Action’s Activities

Formed in the UK in 2020, Palestine Action aims to end what it describes as “global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime.” The group has engaged in direct action, including vandalizing British military aircraft and factories owned by or linked to Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer. The British government previously designated Palestine Action a terrorist organization in July of last year, leading to the sentencing of four members for criminal damage and arrests of over 3,500 supporters on related charges.

US Rationale for Sanctions

The US Treasury stated that Palestine Action was sanctioned “for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for… an act of terrorism.” The department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control will now freeze any assets the group holds within US jurisdiction. Masar Badil, allegedly run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Autistici Inventati, which provides digital infrastructure to extremist groups, were also targeted with sanctions.

Group Response

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori responded to the US designation, stating that the group’s actions are “about saving lives by disrupting the Israeli war machine.” She further criticized US President Donald Trump's role in what she described as enabling the “Zionist regime” and contributing to Palestinian deaths.

The designations represent a significant escalation of US counterterrorism efforts targeting left-wing extremist groups, reflecting a broadening definition of terrorism and increased scrutiny of organizations perceived as supporting violence or disruption.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.