British High Court Rules Palestine Action Ban Disproportionate, Upholds Free Expression

The British High Court ruled that the government's ban on Palestine Action was 'disproportionate' and infringed on freedom of expression.

The ruling came nearly seven months after the group was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Al Jazeera

Judge Victoria Sharp said the nature and extent of Palestine Action's activities did not reach the level justifying a ban.

The decision sparked jubilation among supporters, with cofounder Huda Ammori declaring on X that we have won.

The ban remained in force pending appeal.

More than 2,700 arrests had been made since the ban was imposed.

Despite the High Court ruling, the ban remained in place while the government appealed.

More than 500 people were arrested during a protest in Trafalgar Square, including Robert Del Naja.

Al Jazeera

The force said arrests were made when people showed support for a proscribed organisation.

The age of those arrested ranged from 18 to 87.

The government was caught between enforcing the ban and facing public backlash.

Six activists face a retrial after being acquitted.

The ruling intensified debate over the government's approach to protest and counter-terrorism.

“London police arrest 212 people at protest over Palestine Action ban LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - Police said on Saturday they had arrested 212 people at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's banning of the Palestine Action group”

Al-Monitor

Ministers rejected calls for a new legal power to ban groups without designating them as terrorist organisations.

The Community Security Trust backed the amendment.

The Home Office insisted that Palestine Action had been responsible for acts of terrorism.

The ruling could call into question the prosecutions of hundreds of supporters.

Activists endured lengthy pre-trial detentions and hunger strikes.

Palestine Action was founded in 2020 as a direct-action movement.

The group gained visibility after Israel's offensive in Gaza began in October 2023.

Anadolu Ajansı

Its operations had led to push Elbit Systems to sell its weapons factory in Oldham.

The government banned the group after members broke into a Royal Air Force base and sprayed red paint on fighter jets.

The ban was the first use of the Terrorism Act 2000 to proscribe a protest movement.

The decision was taken after a secret June 2024 meeting between government officials and counter-terror officers.