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In a High Court hearing, lawyers argued that the UK government’s decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was an authoritarian abuse of power. Huda Ammori, co-founder of the group, is seeking permission to challenge Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s ban, which criminalizes membership or support for Palestine Action under terrorism legislation, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. The ban has sparked concerns about the criminalization of legitimate protesters who speak out against the war in Gaza, making the UK an international outlier.
Activists engaged in activities targeting arms companies in response to the conflict in Gaza have faced repercussions since the ban was implemented, with over 170 arrests made under the Terrorism Act of 2000. The ban on Palestine Action came after activists allegedly caused significant damage to RAF planes at RAF Brize Norton, used to support the Israeli military. Legal proceedings related to incidents between 2022 and 2024 are ongoing, with four individuals facing trial over a year from now.
Lawyers representing Huda Ammori argued that the ban on Palestine Action has had a chilling effect on legitimate protest, leading to arrests of individuals for holding signs opposing genocide and supporting the group. The decision to proscribe Palestine Action was condemned as an abuse of power, contrary to common law tradition and the European Convention on Human Rights. The case challenges the restrictions imposed on free speech and questions the proportionality of the government’s actions.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the ban on Palestine Action, stating that it was necessary due to violent attacks against national security targets and instances of injuries and intimidation. The government’s internal assessment acknowledged that most of Palestine Action’s activities did not meet the legal threshold for a ban but were considered terrorism under UK law due to acts of serious criminal damage. The court is expected to rule on the matter on 30 July, determining whether the ban will be upheld or overturned
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