Palestine Action ban appeal enters closed proceedings at UK Supreme Court

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori’s appeal against the group’s ban has moved into closed proceedings at the UK Supreme Court, after both sides completed their public arguments. Five judges will now hear secret government evidence, which Ammori’s legal team cannot access; a security-cleared special advocate will represent her interests.

The government argued that the group’s secretive property damage, including actions against Israeli arms company Elbit Systems, met the legal definition of terrorism and said judges should defer to Parliament’s decision. Ammori’s lawyer rejected claims that the group targeted Jewish businesses or threatened democracy, and argued the ban had seriously interfered with political speech, association and assembly. The ban took effect in February 2025, and police have arrested more than 4,000 people under the Terrorism Act for displaying support for the group; the court will issue its judgment later.