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UK High Court Rules Government's Proscription of Palestine Action Unlawful; Ban Remains During Appeal

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UK High Court Rules Government's Proscription of Palestine Action Unlawful

A UK High Court has ruled that the government's decision to proscribe the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was unlawful. The court found the ban to be disproportionate and a significant interference with rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The proscription will remain in effect while the government appeals the decision.

Court Ruling and Legal Basis

On Friday, a panel of High Court judges—Victoria Sharp, Jonathan Swift, and Karen Steyn—issued a ruling on a legal challenge brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori. The court determined that the "nature and scale of Palestine Action's activities" did not meet the necessary criteria for proscription under terrorism laws.

The decision to proscribe the group was "disproportionate" and constituted a significant interference with rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

Key findings from the 46-page judgment include:

  • The decision to proscribe the group was "disproportionate."
  • The proscription constituted a significant interference with rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
  • While Palestine Action "promotes its political cause through criminality and the encouragement of criminality," and a "very small number of its actions have amounted to terrorist action," existing criminal law is sufficient to prosecute those involved.
  • The judges concluded that the actions of the group were not consistent with democratic values and the rule of law.

Government and Group Responses

  • Home Secretary's Position: Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the ruling, disagreed with the assessment of disproportionality, and confirmed the government's intention to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
  • Palestine Action's Response: Co-founder Huda Ammori described the ruling as a victory for fundamental freedoms in Britain and for the Palestinian struggle. Ammori stated the ban led to the arrest of nearly 3,000 individuals under terrorism laws for supporting the group.

Background of the Proscription and Group Activities

The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025. This designation made membership or public support for the group a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group was placed on a list that includes organizations such as al Qaeda and Hamas.

Group Profile:

  • Palestine Action is a UK-based organization founded in 2020.
  • Its stated mission is to disrupt the operations of weapons manufacturers with connections to the Israeli government.
  • The group's activities have included occupying, blockading, and spray-painting facilities, including those owned by companies such as Elbit Systems UK, UAV Tactical Systems, and Leonardo.
  • The government's proscription followed an incident in late June 2025 where activists accessed RAF Brize Norton, spray-painted and caused damage to two Airbus Voyager refueling planes. Government officials asserted the group's actions have caused millions of pounds in damage and impacted national security.

Impact and Arrests Following the Ban

Since the proscription took effect, law enforcement made numerous arrests related to support for Palestine Action.

  • Home Office statistics from December indicated a 660 percent increase in terrorism arrests in the year ending September 2025, with 86 percent of those arrests linked to Palestine Action.
  • Those arrested included individuals holding signs stating support for the group. The average age of individuals arrested in connection with Palestine Action was reported to be 57.
  • The Metropolitan Police stated that, following the court ruling, officers would no longer make arrests specifically for Palestine Action support but would continue to focus on evidence gathering for alleged offenses.

Broader Legal and Human Rights Context

The ruling has drawn commentary on the application of counter-terrorism laws.

  • Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, viewed the ruling as a positive development for democracy, arguing the terrorism designation was an inappropriate tool to suppress political criticism.
  • Legal experts note that quashing the ban will not automatically affect ongoing criminal cases against activists for specific alleged offenses.
  • The case occurs alongside other related events, including the acquittal of activists charged in connection with a break-in at an Elbit Systems UK factory. The Crown Prosecution Service plans to seek a retrial on related criminal damage and violent disorder charges.

The government's appeal will now proceed to the Court of Appeal.