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The UK High Court has granted permission for Palestine Action to challenge the ban imposed on them by the government under terrorism laws. This decision comes after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed the group following extensive damage caused by its followers at RAF Brize Norton. The ruling by the court allows for a review of the ban, questioning its impact on free speech rights and stifling legitimate protest, as argued by the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori.
Under the ban, supporting or being a member of Palestine Action can result in a jail term of up to 14 years. While the High Court acknowledged potential conflicts with free speech rights, it refused to temporarily lift the ban. Consequently, the ban remains in place pending a comprehensive review of the Home Secretary’s decision in November. Government lawyers were denied permission to appeal the court’s ruling, adding to the ongoing legal battle surrounding the proscription.
The judge highlighted the risk of chaos if the ban is not promptly reviewed, as individuals accused of supporting Palestine Action could challenge their prosecutions based on the ban’s legality. These concerns underscore the importance of determining the ban’s legitimacy through judicial review proceedings. The decision to ban Palestine Action under terrorism laws sparked a cross-government debate, with officials deliberating for eight months before taking action. Discussions revolved around the group’s direct actions against firms associated with Israel, leading to the decision to proscribe Palestine Action.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office cautioned that banning Palestine Action might be perceived as state repression, potentially fueling social cohesion challenges. While some international partners viewed the group’s activity as activism rather than terrorism, the UK government faced a delicate balancing act in addressing the group’s actions. The ban raised concerns about freedom of expression and protest rights, with the judge acknowledging a chilling effect on legitimate political views due to the proscription order
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