Government loses bid to block Palestine Action ban appeal
The government has failed to prevent a challenge to its decision to prohibit Palestine Activities under terrorist laws. The Court of Appeal approved the ban in a highly judicial decision that will be published next month by a High Court judge. Huda Ammori, the co-founder of Palestine Action, had won permission earlier this year for the Home Secretary's ban's judicial review. Ministers then tried to prevent the hearing from going forward by arguing that Parliament had developed a specific and alternative method for appealing against banning orders. The ban, which began on July 5, makes participation in, or support for, the direct action group a criminal offence.
Since the group was banned, more than 2,100 protesters have been arrested in marches. They have displayed signs that read: I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action
during those demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters have been charged with reportedly supporting the group, which could result in six months in prison. Any group that is barred by ministers can request to be deproscribed
by the Home Office after a lengthy internal investigation. It's a lengthy process that can take months to complete. If ministers decide that the ban should remain in force, the order will be reconsidered by judges in a special semi-secret court called Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC).
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