Palestine Action activists refuse to testify in federal grand jury investigation

Bridget Shergalis and Sophie Ross, activists with the movement Palestine Action, announced on Thursday that they will return to jail rather than testify before a federal grand jury in New Hampshire, the Washington Examiner reported. The two women had previously been convicted over a 2023 vandalism attack. [1]

The activists spoke publicly regarding subpoenas they received on Oct. 16, which were leaked to the publication The Grayzone, according to the Washington Examiner. Their group has faced increasing scrutiny following sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. [1]

Palestine Action is a direct action network established in 2020 with the stated objective of ending global participation in Israel's actions, and its membership was proscribed as a terrorist organization in the United Kingdom under the Terrorism Act 2000 [4]. In May 2026, four members were convicted of criminal damage following a factory break-in that resulted in an estimated £1 million in damage [5]. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the United States government placed sanctions on the group in August 2025 and has been monitoring activists accused of concealing ties to the organization. [4][5][6]

Separately, Britain has barred entry to a Swedish academic ahead of a scheduled appearance alongside the founder of Palestine Action, U.S. News & World Report reported. [2][3]