UN rights office says US terror designation of Palestine Action threatens free speech

The UN human rights office criticized the Trump administration's designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, calling it "a disproportionate and unnecessary restriction" on free speech. This move, announced Wednesday, was part of President Donald Trump's effort to target left-wing groups, a decision welcomed by Israel's foreign ministry. The UN office stated that such an "expansive use of the term 'terrorism' has been documented to have a chilling effect on civic space." Palestine Action, which targets Israel-linked defense companies, particularly Elbit Systems, claims its actions are aimed at disrupting the "Israeli war machine" and opposing Israel's conflict with Hamas. The UK previously banned the group, a decision also condemned by the UN human rights office, with an appeal against that ruling pending before the UK Supreme Court.