High Court to Rule on Legality of Palestine Action Terror Ban
The High Court is poised to deliver a landmark ruling on whether the Home Office's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group was lawful. This case, brought by co-founder Huda Ammori, challenges the government's move to ban the direct action group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Legal Challenge Against the Ban
Huda Ammori initiated legal proceedings to contest the decision made by then-home secretary Yvette Cooper, which officially designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The ban, which took effect on 5 July 2025, criminalizes membership or support for the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. During a hearing in November, Ammori's legal team argued that the proscription was unlawful and should be overturned, asserting that the group's activities were part of an "honourable tradition" of direct action and civil disobedience prior to the ban.
Impact and Arrests Following Proscription
The court heard that more than 2,000 arrests have been made since the proscription of Palestine Action. Those detained include a diverse range of individuals, such as priests, teachers, pensioners, retired British Army officers, and an 81-year-old former magistrate. This highlights the broad reach of the ban and its effects on various sectors of society.
Home Office's Defense
Lawyers representing the Home Office defended the proscription, stating that it has successfully disrupted Palestine Action's "pattern of escalatory conduct." They emphasized that the ban does not prevent individuals from protesting in support of the Palestinian people or against Israel's actions in Gaza, arguing that it targets specific unlawful activities rather than stifling legitimate political expression.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for how direct action groups are treated under UK terrorism laws, with both sides presenting strong arguments in this high-stakes legal battle.
