British Court Upholds Ban on Palestine Action, Declaring It a Terrorist Group
The Court of Appeal in London has affirmed the British government’s decision to outlaw the activist group Palestine Action, categorizing it as a terrorist organization. The ruling, delivered on Monday, supported the government’s stance that the group engaged in activities far beyond peaceful protest, targeting defense companies, financial institutions, and military sites with destructive actions.
Chief Justice Sue Carr emphasized that Palestine Action does not operate as a straightforward civil disobedience group. “It is not, as claimed, a direct action civil disobedience protest group like the suffragettes, operating transparently in the open,” Carr stated. “It is a covert organization which operates with secret cells to avoid the detection and prosecution of those using violence to destroy property and cause injury.”
The appellate court’s decision reversed an earlier ruling by the High Court, which had found that while some of the group’s actions were criminal, they did not justify a ban. The appellate panel, consisting of five judges, noted that the then-Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, had sufficient grounds to impose the ban, calling her decision “justified and proportionate” given the balance with free speech rights.
In response, Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori announced plans to challenge the ruling in higher courts, labeling it as “one of the most extreme attacks on free speech and the right to protest in modern British history.”
The group’s proscription followed an incident in June 2025, where activists infiltrated a Royal Air Force base to protest against British military support for Israel’s operations in Gaza. This event was part of a series of actions that included vandalism of military and industrial sites.
Palestine Action’s designation as a terrorist group places it alongside entities like al-Qaida and Hamas. Membership or support for the group now carries the risk of severe legal consequences, including imprisonment for up to 14 years.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, the ban remains effective, and more than 3,300 individuals have been arrested at protests, some merely for holding supportive signs. Over 700 individuals face charges under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act, though proceedings were paused pending the appellate outcome. A decision on whether to move forward with these cases is expected by June 30.
Following the latest court decision, protests by Palestine Action supporters continue undeterred, with law enforcement arresting over 115 people recently outside the Royal Courts of Justice. Civil liberties advocates argue that the ban infringes on free speech and protest rights.
Justice Carr acknowledged concerns about a potential “chilling effect” on lawful expressions of support for the Palestinian cause, clarifying that while direct support for Palestine Action is illegal, public support for Palestine itself is not prohibited.
Since its inception in 2020, Palestine Action has targeted various sites, including those owned by Elbit Systems UK, causing significant damage. The group gained further prominence following the escalation of conflict in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reports that over 73,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict’s onset. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, is recognized for maintaining generally reliable records, although it does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.
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