Palestine Action is a British pro-Palestinian direct action network which has the goal of ending global support for Israel regarding the Gaza conflict and war.
In July, an amended version of the Terrorism Act 2000 passed in the Commons which made Palestine Action a terrorist organisation.
This means membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Following group sit-ins at Parliament Square and other protests, more than 2,000 individuals have been arrested as of October 14.
Of these, some 170 of the protesters have been charged with allegedly showing support for the group - which can lead to six months in jail.
Palestine Action won permission to challenge the ban with the government failing in its attempt to block the legal challenge at the Court of Appeal last week.
The hearing is now set for November, but the process can take months to complete.
Motion - Dr Jordan Osserman, Essex UCU Branch Co-President and university lecturer, passed a UCU motion condemning Pam Cox for voting with the government to make Palestine Action a terrorist organisation (Image: University of Essex)
The University of Essex branch of the University and College Union (UCU) held a "packed" branch meeting on October 15.
Members passed a motion criticising Colchester and Labour MP Pam Cox's vote for the amendment.
A spokesperson for the UCU branch said Palestine Action engages in civil disobedience, including property damage at arms manufacturers involved in supplying Israel.
The spokesperson said the group does not target people with violence and that it has been condemned by UN experts, human rights organisations, and legal professionals.
The spokesperson said Pam Cox, who previously served as head of sociology at the University of Essex, has also drawn on her union credentials in recent political campaigns.
Dr Jordan Osserman, Essex UCU branch co-president and university lecturer, said: 'As former colleagues and union members who worked alongside Pam Cox, we are deeply disappointed that she would support such a sweeping assault on civil liberties.
"This vote flies in the face of trade unionist values of solidarity and the right to protest - values which Cox herself invoked during her campaign. We urge her to reflect and reconsider.'
Response - Pam Cox said the evidence presented to Parliament indicated that Palestine Action's activities had escalated beyond peaceful protest (Image: Colchester Labour)
Pam Cox, MP for Colchester, said: "I understand the concerns raised by members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Essex.
"I did receive some correspondence from constituents ahead of the vote, and I carefully considered their views. However, the evidence presented to Parliament indicated that Palestine Action's activities had escalated beyond peaceful protest into actions that met the statutory threshold for terrorism under UK law. Palestine Action's members have been charged with violent disorder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, criminal damage and aggravated burglary."
Ms Cox said the proscription does not criminalise lawful protest or dissent saying people are free to express support for Palestinian rights and to protest UK foreign policy.
She added: "Like so many in Colchester, I am firmly committed to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, one that upholds the rights and dignity of all concerned.
"I stood on a Labour manifesto that pledged recognition of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution. I am proud that this government is the first in our history to deliver that recognition. This is a vital step toward a desperately needed peaceful resolution and a future built on mutual respect, security, and justice.
"I'm always ready to meet with constituents who hold differing views, and I welcome continued engagement on this and other important issues."