Palestine Action Wins Right to Challenge Government Ban in High Court
Palestine Action will have its day in court after the Court of Appeal ruled that the group can legally challenge the UK government’s decision to ban it under anti-terrorism laws.
In a significant legal blow to the Home Office, the court rejected the government's attempt to stop the judicial review from going ahead. The hearing, set for late November, will be the first time a proscribed group has successfully secured a High Court trial to contest its banning under the Terrorism Act.
The ban, which came into effect on 5th July, makes it a criminal offence to be a member of, or even show support for, the direct action group. Since then, over 2,000 people have been arrested—many simply for holding placards saying, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” More than 170 have been formally charged.
Palestine Action’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, called the court’s ruling a “landmark victory” and described the government's actions as “absurdly authoritarian” and “one of the most extreme attacks on civil liberties in recent British history.” She added that the arrests of “peaceful protesters” under terrorism laws were a “misuse of resources.”
The group is known for controversial direct actions, including vandalising military-linked buildings and defence companies. One incident at RAF Brize Norton in June—where two activists allegedly entered the base on electric scooters—triggered a full security review of UK defence sites.
The Home Office had argued that Parliament had already established a process for banned organisations to appeal through the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), not the High Court. But judges sided with the original decision by Mr Justice Chamberlain, who said the High Court was better placed to deliver a quicker and clearer outcome—especially given the number of people already arrested under the ban.
The upcoming three-day court hearing, starting on 25th November, could set a precedent for how protest groups targeted under terrorism laws can defend themselves in court.
Palestine Action says it will also pursue two further grounds for appeal. In the meantime, the government faces growing scrutiny over how it uses counter-terrorism powers against domestic protest movements.
