The High Court in the United Kingdom has ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully in proscribing the activist group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.
Despite the ruling, the group remains banned for the time being to allow further legal arguments and to give the government time to consider an appeal.
In a significant setback for the government, three senior judges concluded that while Palestine Action engages in criminal activities to promote its objectives, its actions had not reached the exceptionally high threshold required to classify it as a terrorist organisation.
This judgment means that, although the group has successfully challenged the ban, supporting Palestine Action or participating in its activities remains a serious criminal offence.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori described the ruling as a “monumental victory for both our freedoms here in Britain and in the struggle for freedom for the Palestinian people”.
She added that the Home Office’s attempt to proscribe the group would “forever be remembered as one of the most extreme attacks on free speech in recent British history”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment over the decision and confirmed that the government intends to appeal.
“The proscription of Palestine Action followed a rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process, endorsed by Parliament,” she said.
Reacting to the government’s appeal plans, Ammori warned it would be “profoundly unjust” for the thousands of people arrested since the ban came into effect last July.
The proscription criminalised membership of or support for Palestine Action. Over 2,000 people have been arrested at demonstrations since then, many carrying signs stating, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. Around 170 protesters have faced charges for allegedly showing support for the group, punishable by up to six months in prison.
Ammori had challenged the ban in court, arguing it was a “blatant abuse of power”.
The Home Office previously attempted to prevent the judicial hearing, claiming Parliament had provided a specific process for appealing banning orders.
However, the government’s bid to block the challenge at the Court of Appeal failed in October, paving the way for Friday’s High Court ruling.
