The High Court has ruled that the ban of Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist group is unlawful, but it remains in place ahead of another hearing on February 20.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she is “disappointed” with the decision, and pledges that the Government will appeal the ruling.
What ban?
Palestine Action, a group created in 2020 to protest British involvement in Israeli apartheid in Gaza, was proscribed a terrorist organisation in July 2025. This followed a break-in by members at RAF Brize Norton that caused £7 million in damages, and left a plane vandalised.
The order to proscribe Palestine Action also sought to proscribe two neo-Nazi organisations, in a move many considered a way of pressuring MPs to vote for it.
The ban meant that expressing support for Palestine Action was grounds for arrest. Hundreds have been arrested across the country since, some just for holding up signs that said similar messages to, “I Oppose Genocide I Support Palestine Action”.
Early on Friday morning (February 13), a three-judge panel at the High Court ruled that the ban was unlawful, with one judge, Dame Sharp, saying it was “disproportionate”, and constituted a “very significant interference with the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly”.
Now what?
While the ban was ruled unlawful, it will remain in place for now.
This is ahead of a further ruling on February 20th, which will determine the next steps and likely hear an appeal from the government.
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