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Ban challenged in court
A British court ruling on Friday, February 13, found the government’s July 2025 ban on Palestine Action was 'disproportionate' and breached freedom of expression, while the ban remained in force for now as the Home Office announced its intention to appeal.
“ruled that the government's ban on the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action was 'disproportionate,'”
Judge Victoria Sharp said the decision to classify the group as a terrorist organization 'has resulted in a very substantial infringement of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly,' and she gave until February 20 for both sides to submit new legal arguments.
Supporters cheered outside the court after the ruling, and Huda Ammori, the founder of Palestine Action, said on X, "We have won."
The ruling came after the Labour government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, and the court said the nature and scope of the group’s activities under the definition of terrorism did not reach the level, scope, and persistence justifying an outright ban.
Arrests and legal limbo
Even with the court’s finding that the ban was disproportionate, Palestine Action remained officially outlawed, and the decision left supporters facing ongoing uncertainty as the government pursued its appeal.
Courrier international reported that under the Terrorism Act, offenders face up to fourteen years in prison for supporting a terrorist organization, and it said nearly 3,000 people had been arrested for holding up signs that read I support Palestine Action.
The Daily Telegraph said London’s police announced they would not arrest during demonstrations in support of the group while awaiting the final judgment, but The Guardian described the situation for supporters as “in the fog.”
La Croix said the ruling could call into question hundreds of indictments, while also noting that more than 2,700 people have been arrested since July and hundreds have been charged during dozens of demonstrations in support of the banned group, according to the Defend Our Juries association.
What happens next
The court’s decision set a timetable for further legal arguments, with Judge Victoria Sharp giving until February 20 for both sides to submit new legal arguments and the Home Office immediately announcing its intention to appeal.
“The Home Office immediately announced its intention to appeal.”
France 24 said the movement’s ban remains in force for now, and it described the ruling as a finding that the government’s 2025 ban was 'disproportionate' and breached freedom of expression.
Courrier international added that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has appealed the decision and would, as of February 20, provide new elements to the case file, while it also reported that police said they were simply applying the law in effect at the time of incidents.
As the legal battle continued, the ruling was framed by supporters as a major win, with Huda Ammori calling it “A monumental victory” for freedom, while the government’s appeal kept Palestine Action banned while the courts decide what comes next.
