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Palestine Action is set to be banned starting at midnight, following a judge’s decision to deny its request to block the government from labeling it as a terrorist organization. The High Court judge on Friday rejected the group’s plea for more time to challenge the government’s designation. Consequently, anyone found supporting Palestine Action will face criminal charges, with membership or endorsement of the direct action group resulting in a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. In response, co-founder Huda Ammori stated that her legal team will urgently seek an appeal to prevent what she described as a “dystopian nightmare.”
Mr. Justice Chamberlain justified his decision by stating, “I have concluded that the harm which would ensue if interim relief is refused but the claim later succeeds is insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force.” He informed the group that they could seek permission to appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal. A hearing at the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision commenced shortly after on Friday evening. The proposed ban, an amendment to the Terrorism Act 2000, will officially go into effect after receiving approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords earlier this week.
The decision to outlaw the group came in the aftermath of around £7m worth of damage inflicted on planes at RAF Brize Norton last month, a direct action claimed by Palestine Action. Raza Husain KC, barrister for Ms. Ammori, argued at an earlier court session that the ban would be “ill-considered” and an “authoritarian abuse” of power. Refuting this, Mr. Justice Chamberlain noted in a 26-page judgement that some of the concerns raised by Ms. Ammori and other witnesses were exaggerated. Despite the court’s ruling, Ms. Ammori pledged to continue advocating for the rights to free speech and protest, as well as to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Currently, there are approximately 81 organizations proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, including Hamas, al Qaida, and National Action. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the decision to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, citing the “disgraceful” vandalism of two planes and the group’s history of criminal activity. Mr. Justice Chamberlain clarified that the assessment on whether to ban the group had been made as early as March, prior to the incident at RAF Brize Norton. Four individuals have been charged in connection to the vandalism
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