The UK government is appealing a High Court ruling that deemed the ban on pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action unlawful. The ban, imposed last year under terrorism laws, has led to over 2,700 arrests for showing support of the group.
Key Takeaways
The UK government is appealing a High Court ruling that deemed its ban on pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action unlawful. The appeal hearing began Tuesday with a five-judge panel in London's Court of Appeal.
- UK government appeals High Court ruling on Palestine Action ban
- Over 2,700 arrests made for supporting the banned group
- Five-judge panel hears arguments at London's Court of Appeal
- Ban equates Palestine Action to groups like Islamic State or al Qaeda
- Celebrities and scholars support Palestine Action in open letter
The appeal hearing began Tuesday at London's Court of Appeal with a rare five-judge panel instead of the usual three. Lawyers representing Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood argued that the High Court's finding on freedom of expression was 'overstated and wrong.' The group was proscribed after activists damaged two military planes at RAF Brize Norton air base in June 2025.
The ban places Palestine Action on par with groups like Islamic State or al Qaeda, making membership a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Co-founder Huda Ammori stated that the ban had created a 'profound chilling effect' and fostered a climate of fear among those campaigning for Palestinian rights.
The Metropolitan Police initially paused arrests following the High Court ruling but resumed enforcement earlier this month, arresting over 500 people. The fate of those arrested remains uncertain as the appeal process continues. Celebrities and scholars, including novelist Sally Rooney and climate activist Greta Thunberg, have signed a letter in support of Palestine Action.
Opening arguments for the government's defense highlighted that overturning the ban would limit ministers' counter-terrorism powers. Sir James Eadie KC argued before the Court of Appeal that Parliament had given ministers discretion over such decisions once there was an expert finding that an organization was 'concerned in terrorism.' He asserted Palestine Action met this statutory definition, citing escalating seriousness in their activities.
In February 2025, three High Court judges found that while Palestine Action promotes its political cause through criminality and encouragement of criminality, these facts did not justify the ban under terrorism legislation. They ruled it breached the home secretary's own policy limiting use of this exceptional power—though the group remains banned pending appeal.
Written submissions to the Court detailed 158 'direct action events' by Palestine Action members between August 2024 and June 2025, targeting 48 business premises. On 28 occasions, protesters caused more than £50,000 of damage with 158 arrests made during this period.
Britain's terrorism watchdog has expressed concern that the government's use of counterterrorism laws against activist groups like Palestine Action could blur the line between protests and national security threats. Independent reviewer Jonathan Hall noted in his annual report that there is 'real uncertainty' over whether serious damage to property alone should qualify as terrorism.
Hall suggested that lawmakers could narrow the test for what constitutes terrorism, possibly by requiring a risk to life or a national security dimension. His report comes amid growing reliance on counterterrorism laws to police online propaganda and political expression. The ban on Palestine Action remains in force pending the outcome of the appeal.
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