UK Court Upholds Palestine Action Terror Ban

Court Decision Reverses Lower Ruling

Britain’s Court of Appeal has upheld the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a “terrorist” organization, overturning a lower court decision. Chief Justice Sue Carr stated the proscription struck a fair balance, rejecting arguments that the ban would significantly curtail freedom of expression. The ruling follows the government’s appeal against a February High Court decision that found banning the group under the Terrorism Act 2000 was unlawful and disproportionate.

Legal Basis for Terror Classification

The court found Palestine Action’s conduct exceeded non-violent direct action, citing property damage and injuries caused by the group’s activities. Carr noted the campaign was “intended to close down lawful businesses” and that the group “overtly promoted unlawful violence amounting to terrorism.” Since the ban was imposed in July 2025, over 3,000 arrests linked to support for Palestine Action have been made.

Future Legal Challenges

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori has vowed to fight the ruling to the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights, calling it “one of the most extreme attacks on free speech and the right to protest in modern British history.” The group’s future activities remain uncertain following this decision that sets a significant precedent for protest regulation in the UK.

Sources

• Al Jazeera — Court ruling details and group response
• New York Times — Confirmation of ruling and free speech implications