Palestine Action has launched a secret recruitment website aimed at circumventing the UK Government’s ban on the group, it has been revealed. The proscribed organisation is directing supporters to a covert platform under the name Direct Action Training, signalling its determination to continue militant activities despite being outlawed.
The new site, registered late on Friday, just before the ban took effect at midnight, asks potential recruits a series of questions designed to vet their commitment to the Palestinian cause and their willingness to take part in direct action against what the group calls the “Zionist war machine”. The recruitment message, which was sent privately on the encrypted app Signal, declares: “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.”
The website, which is hosted with an IP address in Iceland, asks for detailed personal information, including full name, contact details, social media handles, political affiliations, and direct action experience.
Recruits are also quizzed about their readiness to risk arrest and the types of actions they might refuse to undertake, the Telegraph reported.
The site insists the training is aimed at dismantling the “Zionist war machine in the UK” and highlights skills such as climbing, organisational abilities, and driving licences as valuable.
The group also probes candidates about their knowledge of the Palestinian conflict and what motivated their activism.
This move comes after the Government banned Palestine Action as a terror group following claims the organisation was responsible for the vandalism of two RAF Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in June. Police estimate the damage caused was about £7 million. The proscription makes support or membership a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum of 14 years in prison.
The group’s website has been blocked in the UK, but the new secret platform underlines Palestine Action’s intent to continue recruitment and direct actions under a different name.
The fallout from the ban has already led to arrests. On Saturday, 29 protesters were detained during a demonstration outside Parliament supporting Palestine Action, including Reverend Sue Parfitt, an 83-year-old retired priest. She was photographed being led away by officers, sparking questions about the police’s use of resources.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was asked on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg whether arresting an elderly priest was a good use of police time.
He said: “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.”
Sir Mark emphasised that the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action was based on evidence of serious criminality: “Palestine Action have over the last 18 months… some really serious criminal offences that they’re accused of.
“There are millions of pounds worth of damage on multiple occasions. There are assaults, there are weapons used. It is not about protest. This is about an organisation committing serious criminality.”
The group’s legal challenge against the ban was rejected by the Court of Appeal less than two hours before the proscription came into force.
Four people have been charged in connection with the RAF Brize Norton incident, facing conspiracy and criminal damage charges.