Full Breakdown
Court of Appeal Upholds Terrorism Ban on Palestine Action
6/16/2026, 4:05:45 AM
Court of Appeal Upholds Ban
On 15 June 2026 the Court of Appeal, in a panel chaired by Chief Justice Sue Carr, held that July 2025 proscription of Palestine Action under Terrorism Act was “justified and proportionate”, overturning a February High Court ruling that ban breached protest rights. Membership now carries up to 14 years.
Background & Key Players
Founded in 2020, Palestine Action says goal is to end “participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime”. It targeted UK weapons factories linked to Israel’s defence firm Elbit Systems. Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, blacklisted group with Hamas, Hezbollah. Huda Ammori challenged ban; Shabana Mahmood defended it.
Timeline
2020 – group formed; Oct 2023 – Gaza war follows Hamas attack, activism intensifies; 5 July 2025 – ban enacted; Feb 2026 – High Court rules ban unlawful; 12 June 2026 – four activists sentenced for 2024 Elbit raid; 15 June 2026 – appeal court upholds ban.
Data & Impact
Around 3,000 arrests and 700 pending cases have been recorded; a review is set for 30 June. Elbit raid caused damage over £1 million, and ruling underscores ministerial discretion in security while raising civil-liberty concerns.
Official Statements & Responses
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the ban targets unlawful violence and does not restrict lawful pro-Palestinian protest. Judges noted Palestine Action “overtly promotes unlawful violence amounting to terrorism” and affirmed Home Secretary’s competence.
Criticism & Opposition
Liberty director Akiko Hart warned ruling could enable misuse of counter-terror powers against non-terrorist groups, chilling speech. Ammori called proscription “one of most extreme attacks on free speech and right to protest” and said she will appeal to Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's really important that no one is in any doubt that this is not a non-violent organisation,” — Yvette Cooper, Former Home Secretary
- “It is a covert organisation which operates with secret cells to avoid the detection and prosecution of those using violence to destroy property and cause injury.” — Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr
- “We will not stop fighting to overturn one of the most extreme attacks on free speech and the right to protest in modern British history.” — Huda Ammori, Co-founder, Palestine Action
- “This case has already had, and will continue to have, a chilling effect on protest and free speech - leaving many people too afraid to protest or say the wrong thing” — Akiko Hart, Director, Liberty
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact arrest total (“around 3,000” vs. “thousands”) and on the precise date of the High Court ruling (February 2026 vs. unspecified February); detailed outcomes of pending cases remain unavailable.
What’s Next
Ammori plans to appeal to the UK Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. The magistrates’ court will decide on the 700-plus pending prosecutions on 30 June, and Parliament may scrutinise the Home Office’s proscription powers.
