UK Court Lets Palestine Action Fight Ban

A UK court has decided that the group Palestine Action can continue its legal fight against being called a terrorist organization. This means the court will look more closely at the government's decision to ban the group.
By Newsroom | UK Law, Human Rights |

Background

On July 4, 2025, a High Court judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, refused Palestine Action's request for a temporary halt to its proscription as a terror group. The judge stated that the potential harm from refusing interim relief, should the group's challenge later succeed, was outweighed by the public interest in keeping the ban in place. This decision followed a draft order laid before Parliament to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 to include Palestine Action. The Home Office welcomed the ruling.

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However, on October 17, 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled that a legal challenge to the ban could proceed, a significant development that has opened the door for further examination of the government's decision. This later ruling, allowing the legal challenge to continue, indicates that the court found specific points of contention worth exploring in greater detail.

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The Ban's Genesis and Enforcement

The ban on Palestine Action was enacted shortly after an incident on June 20, 2025, when activists reportedly breached an air force base in southern England. Protesting the war in Gaza, they sprayed red paint on the engines of two tanker planes and caused damage with crowbars. The government cited estimated damages of £7 million ($9.3 million) to the aircraft. The then-interior minister, Yvette Cooper, initiated the ban.

Since the ban took effect on July 5, 2025, over 2,000 individuals have been arrested for alleged support of the group. Many of these arrests, numbering over 200 charges, involved individuals holding placards that read, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Six people have also been charged with organizing support for Palestine Action, accused of arranging meetings to encourage "mass civil disobedience."

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Lawyers representing the UK government defended the ban, asserting that it was a proportionate measure necessary for public protection and national security. They argued against the group's claim that the criminalization was excessive.

Conversely, legal experts, former government ministers, and even an ex-MI6 director have voiced criticism regarding the process used to ban Palestine Action. Concerns have been raised that the definition of terrorism used in this instance may be too broad, potentially ensnaring legitimate protest activities.

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"Terrorism should be defined narrowly as acts intended to coerce, compel, or subvert government or an international governmental organisation, and the threshold for property damage should apply only to conduct causing serious risk to life, national security, or public safety, or involving arson, explosives, or firearms."— A statement attributed to critics of the ban's broad application.

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A key point of contention appears to be the explanatory memorandum for the proscription order. Reports suggest it failed to adequately explain that individuals expressing support for Palestine Action, such as by holding placards, could fall foul of the law.

Scope of Counter-Terrorism Laws

The designation of Palestine Action as the first direct action group to be banned under the Terrorism Act has prompted discussions about the widening interpretation of the UK's terrorism laws. Legal commentators have long noted the potential for these laws to encompass direct action protesters, and this case appears to be a significant manifestation of that possibility.

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"But the unprecedented application of counter-terrorism law to a direct action group highlights how the UK’s terrorism definition is now much wider than under the previous law."— The Conversation

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While the Terrorism Act creates the offense of supporting a proscribed group, it is noted that arrests are not mandatory. The outcome of Palestine Action's legal challenge could have a substantial impact on the ongoing prosecutions and the future application of these laws.

Conclusion

The UK High Court's decision to allow Palestine Action's legal challenge to proceed marks a crucial stage in the ongoing dispute over its proscription. This legal battle underscores tensions between national security measures, the right to protest, and the interpretation of counter-terrorism legislation. The outcome may have far-reaching implications for how protest movements are classified and dealt with under British law. Further court proceedings will be necessary to determine the lawfulness of the ban and its broader impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Palestine Action still protest?
The group is banned as a terror group, but it is fighting this in court. The court's decision on the ban is not final yet.
Q: Why was Palestine Action banned?
The government banned the group after activists damaged planes at an air force base in June 2025. The government said this was needed for safety.
Q: What is the main argument against the ban?
Some people think the law used to ban the group is too broad and might stop peaceful protests. They say the definition of terrorism is being used too widely.
Q: How many people have been arrested?
Over 2,000 people have been arrested for supporting the group since the ban started in July 2025.