An online crowdfunder intended to raise money for Palestine Action's UK Supreme Court challenge against its ban has been blocked. The blocking is a direct result of US sanctions imposed on the direct action group.
CrowdJustice, a UK company, stated it could not host the fundraiser for legal fees because its payment processor, the US company Stripe, confirmed it "cannot support accounts or transactions linked to, or for the benefit of, Palestine Action." This restriction applies even when funds are being raised for legal proceedings.
The US sanctions were implemented last month by Donald Trump, utilising powers introduced by President George W Bush in 2001. Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, stated that reliance on US services by platforms like CrowdJustice prevents them from fundraising for their Supreme Court challenge.
The Home Office has reportedly spent £700,000 defending the proscription in the High Court. The case is set to move to the UK's highest court in November.