What a UK court’s backing of the Palestine Action ‘terror’ ban means | Conflict News
UK Court Upholds Proscription of Palestine Action as Terrorist Group
LONDON — The United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal ruled Monday that the government acted lawfully in designating the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization last year. This decision confirms the controversial classification, which has sparked significant protests and debate within the country.
Palestine Action, established six years ago, describes its mission as ending international participation in what it calls Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime. Following the group’s proscription, approximately 3,000 individuals have been arrested for supporting or participating in demonstrations related to Palestine Action.
The ruling was issued by a five-judge panel, including the two highest-ranking judges in England and Wales. The court stated, “The proscription of an organisation like Palestine Action is highly controversial. But it is a fundamental mistake to overlook the fact that Palestine Action overtly promotes unlawful violence amounting to terrorism.”
The Metropolitan Police welcomed the decision, emphasizing their commitment to continue arrests of individuals supporting the group.
Background of the Case
The case arose when Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori challenged the proscription in the High Court. In February 2025, the High Court deemed the UK government’s ban unlawful and disproportionate. However, after the government appealed the decision, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment, arguing the initial ruling was misguided.
The Court of Appeal’s judgment on Monday reversed the High Court’s decision, stating that the Home Secretary acted within her rights and that the proscription was consistent with government policy.
Palestine Action was officially classified as a terrorist organization following a dramatic protest on June 20, 2025, when activists entered the Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton, damaging military aircraft. Shortly thereafter, Parliament voted to support the proscription, placing the group in the same category as organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Opponents of the ruling argue that while Palestine Action has caused property damage, it has not engaged in acts that meet the legal definition of terrorism. Over 130 prominent figures have voiced opposition to the designation.
Actions by Palestine Action
The group has been involved in various protests, including:
- A six-day sit-in atop an Elbit Systems subsidiary in Leicester in 2021.
- Breaking into a Thales factory in Glasgow in 2022, resulting in significant property damage.
- A 2024 incursion into an Elbit facility near Bristol, causing further destruction.
Response from Palestine Action and Critics
In response to the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Ammori announced plans to appeal to the UK Supreme Court, stating, “We will not stop fighting to overturn one of the most extreme attacks on free speech and the right to protest in modern British history.” She indicated that the group may also seek recourse through the European Court of Human Rights.
Critics of the ruling, including Anas Mustapha from CAGE International and Thomas Bell from Human Rights Watch, voiced concerns about the implications for free speech and the rights of protestors. Mustapha argued that the ruling represents an authoritarian approach to dissent, while Bell emphasized the need to address criminal actions under standard laws rather than through broad terrorism classifications.
As tensions continue to rise over this ruling, the intersection of activism, law, and governmental authority remains a pivotal topic of discussion in the UK.
