The co-founder of pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action is taking legal action to challenge the UK government’s ban on the organization under anti-terror laws. The case, which opened on Wednesday at London’s High Court, raises pressing questions about free speech, civil liberties, and the scope of anti-terror legislation in the United Kingdom.

Background: Government Ban and Mass Arrests

Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK government in July 2025, just days after activists staged a high-profile protest at a Royal Air Force base in southern England. During the protest, activists allegedly caused around £7 million ($9.3 million) in damage to two aircraft.

The ban criminalizes membership in the group or supporting it in any capacity, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Since its enactment, the ban has resulted in at least 2,300 arrests, according to protest organizers Defend Our Juries. Those arrested include students, teachers, pensioners, and even an 83-year-old retired vicar, with many removed from protests by police.

Court Challenge and Legal Arguments

The legal challenge is being led by Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, and is expected to continue over several days, with additional court dates scheduled. At the center of the case is the argument that the government’s ban is disproportionate and undermines civil liberties.

International human rights bodies have criticized the UK’s approach:

• UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described the ban as “disproportionate and unnecessary.”
• The Council of Europe expressed concerns about “excessive limits” on the right to protest.

Government and Prosecutors’ Position

The UK Home Office has justified the ban, accusing Palestine Action of carrying out an “escalating campaign” of criminal damage, including attacks on national security infrastructure. The government also cites instances of intimidation, alleged violence, and serious injuries.

At a recent court hearing, prosecutors alleged that a Palestine Action activist struck a police officer with a sledgehammer at an Israel-based defense company site in western Bristol, after breaking into the facility in August 2025.

Political and Public Reactions

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, defending the ban, emphasized that some supporters of the group may not understand its “full nature” due to court restrictions during ongoing prosecutions. She added:

“It’s really important that no-one is in any doubt that this is not a non-violent organization.”

Meanwhile, critics of the ban argue it constitutes political repression. Award-winning director Ken Loach described the ban as “absurd,” claiming it aligns the government with Israel’s actions in Gaza. Defend Our Juries stated:

“This level of political repression is not what we expect in a democracy—it’s the kind of tactic typically associated with authoritarian regimes around the world.”

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, warned that labeling a protest group as a terrorist organization threatens fundamental democratic rights.

“Classifying a protest group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ should send a chill down your spine,” she said.

Group Activities and Objectives

Founded in 2020, Palestine Action’s stated goal, as detailed on its now-blocked website, is to end “global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime.” The group has primarily focused on protesting at weapons factories, especially those owned by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

Since the ban, supporters have continued to stage rallies holding signs that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”