UK Government Appeals Ruling That Palestine Action Ban Was Unlawful

London – The British government has been granted permission to appeal a High Court ruling that its ban on the pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action was unlawful. The initial ruling, delivered earlier this month, questioned the government’s decision to proscribe the group as a terrorist organization, citing a disproportionate interference with free speech rights.

Background to the Ban

The UK government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025, following actions by activists who broke into a Royal Air Force base and vandalized aircraft, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.3 million) in damage. CNN reports this protest was in response to Britain’s military support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza. The designation as a terrorist organization equated Palestine Action with groups like al-Qaeda and Hamas, carrying potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison for membership or support.

The Court’s Initial Ruling

Lawyers representing Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, argued that the ban represented an authoritarian restriction on the right to protest. Judges Victoria Sharp, Jonathan Swift, and Karen Steyn agreed, stating that the “nature and scale of Palestine Action’s activities” did not justify proscription and that the decision was “disproportionate.”

Following the initial ruling, the Metropolitan Police stated they would not arrest individuals expressing support for Palestine Action but would continue to gather evidence for potential future enforcement. CNN

The Appeal and Government Response

On Wednesday, February 26, 2026, the court granted the government permission to challenge its own ruling, meaning the ban remains in place pending the appeal. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the initial court decision and pledged to fight it. She stated that the court acknowledged Palestine Action had engaged in acts of terrorism and promoted violence. CNN

“The proscription of Palestine Action followed a rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process, endorsed by parliament,” Mahmood said in a statement. CNN

Reactions to the Appeal

The UK’s Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed Mahmood’s decision to appeal, expressing concern for the safety of the British public, including the Jewish community. CNN

Palestine Action’s Activities

Palestine Action has engaged in “direct action” at military and industrial sites in the UK since its formation in 2020, targeting facilities owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems UK. Officials claim these activities have caused millions of pounds in damage and pose a threat to national security. CNN

The group’s actions have sparked debate about the limits of protest and the appropriate response from law enforcement. The outcome of the appeal will likely have significant implications for future protests and the use of anti-terrorism legislation in the UK.