LONDON: The British government said it would appeal a High Court ruling that declared unlawful the ban on activist group Palestine Action, after judges found the proscription under terrorism laws to be disproportionate.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the decision and confirmed the government would challenge the judgment in the Court of Appeal.
“I am disappointed by the Court’s decision and disagree with the notion that banning this terrorist organisation is disproportionate,” Mahmood said, arguing that the proscription followed a “rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process” endorsed by parliament.
The ruling followed a legal challenge brought by the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, who argued that the designation infringed on freedom of expression.
In a summary published on its website, the High Court said the ban was “disproportionate” and that the “nature and scale” of the group’s activities had not reached a level sufficient to justify designation under terrorism legislation.
Ammori said the court had ordered the ban to be quashed, calling it a victory for free speech. However, the group will remain banned temporarily pending further legal arguments as the appeal proceeds.
The Metropolitan Police said officers would no longer make immediate arrests solely for expressions of support for the group, such as holding placards, but would continue gathering evidence for possible future enforcement action depending on the outcome of the appeal.
Since the proscription was imposed in July 2025, more than 2,700 people have been arrested across Britain on suspicion of supporting the organisation. Supporters and some legal experts have called for those charges to be dropped following the court’s ruling.
Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organisation under Britain’s Terrorism Act after a series of “direct actions” targeting Israel-linked defence firms. The move followed a high-profile break-in at RAF Brize Norton, where military aircraft were spray-painted, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.44 million) in damage, according to police.
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the High Court decision, calling it “an enormous victory for the Palestinian solidarity movement, for civil liberties and for our common humanity.”
The case marks a significant test of the government’s use of counterterrorism powers against protest groups and is expected to continue through the appeals process.
