Arrested protesters devastated after appeal court rules ban on Palestine Action is lawful

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the ban on the direct action group Palestine Action is lawful, overturning a previous High Court decision. This ruling means over 3,000 individuals arrested under the Terrorism Act since the ban, including over 700 charged, could now face prosecution. Protesters arrested for allegedly supporting Palestine Action have expressed anger and devastation at the decision, with some describing it as a "travesty of justice" and considering further action. The court found that the objectives of protecting national security and the rights of others outweighed the impact of the ban on freedom of expression and assembly. Human rights groups have criticized the decision, calling it a misuse of counter-terrorism powers and disproportionate to treat direct action protest as terrorism.

The UK's Court of Appeal has ruled that the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a "terrorist" organization was lawful, overturning a lower court's decision. Chief Justice Sue Carr stated that the proscription decision struck a fair balance and that the group's conduct was not that of a non-violent, direct-action organization. The court found that Palestine Action overtly promoted unlawful violence amounting to terrorism. This ruling allows the Home Secretary's appeal against the High Court's earlier finding that the ban was unlawful and disproportionate. Palestine Action's co-founder vowed to challenge the decision in higher courts, calling it an attack on free speech and the right to protest. The ban was imposed in July 2025, and over 3,000 arrests have been linked to support for the group since then.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Home Secretary's decision to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act was lawful, overturning a High Court decision. A five-judge panel found that the High Court had underestimated the latitude afforded to the Home Secretary in assessing future threats and risks. The judges concluded that the importance of protecting national security and the rights of others outweighed the impact on freedom of expression and assembly. While acknowledging concerns about a "chilling effect" on lawful protest, the court stated that the ban does not prevent public expressions of support for the Palestinian cause or opposition to Israel. Palestine Action intends to seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The UK government is appealing a High Court ruling that deemed the ban on the activist group Palestine Action unlawful. The High Court found the proscription as a terrorist organization to be disproportionate. The appeal hearing begins Tuesday at the Court of Appeal in London. Palestine Action targets companies linked to the Israeli military. Despite the High Court's decision, the ban remains in effect during the appeals process, and showing support for the group is still illegal, leading to arrests of protesters. Celebrities and scholars have publicly supported Palestine Action, risking arrest.