The group, which has targeted defence companies linked to Israel, became the first direct-action protest organisation to be proscribed as a terrorist group in July 2025. The move put it in the same legal category as Islamic State and National Action, making it a criminal offence to show support or affiliation.
The move put it in the same legal category as Islamic State and National Action...
The ban of the group followed an incident earlier in 2025, which resulted in £7m of damage to two military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton for which members of the group are allegedly responsible.
In the intervening months, more than 2,100 people have been arrested at demonstrations for allegedly supporting Palestine Action. They are commonly seen holding up a placard reading: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". At a single protest in London, nearly 900 people were detained.
The decision, led by Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, upheld a High Court ruling by Mr Justice Chamberlain to allow Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to bring a judicial review of the ban.
Judges also expanded the scope of the case, granting two further grounds on which the legality of the proscription can be challenged. These include: disproportionate interference with freedom of speech and protest; the Home Secretary’s failure to consult Palestine Action before imposing the ban; a failure to follow basic public law principles; and a failure to apply her own policy.
Judges also expanded the scope of the case, granting two further grounds on which the legality of the proscription can be challenged.
The judges also rejected the Home Office’s claim that judicial review was a “last resort,” noting that the official appeal route would not undo wrongful convictions or test whether the ban was lawful from the outset.
Huda Ammori described the ruling as a “landmark victory,” calling the proscription “absurdly authoritarian” and “one of the most extreme attacks on civil liberties in recent British history.” The Home Office, however, insisted that Palestine Action remains a proscribed organisation, citing an “escalating campaign” of criminal damage, intimidation and alleged violence.
The case is due to be heard over three days from 25 November. It will be the first time a banned group in the UK has been granted a full trial to challenge its proscription under counter-terrorism law.
Sources:
UK court to hear challenge to pro-Palestine group ban after government loses appeal | Reuters
Palestine Action: Dozens in court over alleged support of banned group - BBC News
Almost 900 people arrested at Palestine Action ban protest, say Met police | UK news | The Guardian
Legal challenge to Palestine Action ban can go ahead, court rules | Palestine Action | The Guardian