NPR
Britain's High Court says government illegally banned Pro-Palestinian group
+285 words added -139 words removed
By
The Associated Press
Protesters demonstrate outside The Old Bailey court in London, where four Palestine Action activists are to appear in court charged over a break-in at RAF Brize Norton on June 20 in which aircraft were damaged with spraypaint, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption
LONDON — Britain's High Court ruled Friday that the government's decision to outlaw the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was unlawful, but it kept the ban in place pending an appeal.
Judges Victoria Sharp, Jonathan Swift and Karen Steyn said "the nature and scale of Palestine Action's activities" did not meet the "level, scale and persistence" that would justify proscription.
Europe UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend The judges said they were "satisfied that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was disproportionate."
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government declared the pro-Palestinian group a terrorist organization alongside the likes of al-Qaida and Hamas, making membership in or support for Palestine Action a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since then, more than people have been arrested for holding signs saying "I support Palestine Action."
Supporters of Palestine Action and civil liberties groups say the arrests for peaceful protest ride roughshod over free speech and the right to protest.
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Palestine Action has carried out direct action protests at military and industrial sites in the U.K. since it formed in 2020, including breaking into facilities owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems UK. Officials say the group's actions have caused millions of pounds in damage that affect national security.
In their ruling, the judges said that while "a very small number of its actions have amounted to terrorist action ... regardless of proscription, the criminal law is available to prosecute those concerned."
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "disappointed by the court's decision and disagree with the notion that banning this terrorist organization is disproportionate.
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Music Northern Irish rap group Kneecap plays Glastonbury despite controversy "The proscription does not prevent peaceful protest in support of the Palestinian cause, another point on which the court agrees," she said, adding: "I intend to fight this judgment in the Court of Appeal."
− Music Northern Irish rap group Kneecap plays Glastonbury despite controversy
+
The justices said they would not quash the ban until a further hearing on whether it should stay in place "pending the possibility of an appeal." They gave lawyers for the two sides until Feb. 20 to prepare for that hearing.
London's Metropolitan Police said that in light of the judgment, officers would not arrest people expressing support for Palestine Action, but would continue to gather evidence of offenses "to provide opportunities for enforcement at a later date."