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Court Upholds Palestine Action Terror Ban, 14-Year Penalties

6/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Court of Appeal ruled the UK government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation lawful, making support punishable by up to 14 years.
Police arrested dozens of demonstrators outside the Royal Courts of Justice within minutes of the ruling.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Greenpeace, condemned the decision as a grave misuse of counter-terrorism powers that threatens free expression.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 Prevention of Terrorism Act gave the Home Secretary power to proscribe groups, a tool first used against organisations such as Al-Muhajiroun and backed by 750 arrests by October 2005. In August 2025 the Court of Appeal upheld the proscription of Palestine Action, reviving those same powers and prompting fresh legal challenges.

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Story summary

The Court of Appeal ruled the UK government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation lawful, making support punishable by up to 14 years.
Police arrested dozens of demonstrators outside the Royal Courts of Justice within minutes of the ruling.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Greenpeace, condemned the decision as a grave misuse of counter-terrorism powers that threatens free expression.

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