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Palestine Action takes fight against UK ban to Supreme Court
Palestine Action returned to the UK Supreme Court to challenge the government’s decision to proscribe it under terrorism legislation. Co-founder Huda Ammori argues that the ban has made legitimate protest a terrorism offence, while the case will test the government’s use of those powers against the group.
At least 4,000 people have been arrested on charges linked to Palestine Action since the ban was imposed in July last year. Ammori cited submissions from UN experts, Amnesty International, Liberty and a former MI6 director, and said government assessments acknowledge the group has not advocated violence against people and has used civil disobedience.
In short
- Palestine Action is challenging its proscription at the Supreme Court.
- At least 4,000 people have been arrested in related cases.
- Its co-founder says the ban criminalises legitimate protest.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A ban under terrorism legislation carries serious consequences for speech, association and protest, so it should be used only when the statutory threshold is clearly met. If Palestine Action has not advocated violence against people and its conduct is better addressed through ordinary criminal law, proscription risks chilling peaceful dissent and sweeping legitimate protest into the terrorism framework.
The case against
The government can argue that proscription is a preventive measure intended to protect public safety, and that a group’s methods and the risks created by its actions may justify intervention even without advocacy of violence against people. If the statutory test is met, applying it to Palestine Action may be necessary to deter serious unlawful activity and give authorities powers to prevent further harm; the Supreme Court’s review can test whether that decision was lawful.