UK’s Palestine Action Loses Bid to Suspend ‘Terror Group’ Ban

London, July 4, 2025 – A High Court judge has today dismissed an urgent application by Palestine Action seeking to pause the UK government’s planned proscription of the activist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. The ban is set to take effect at midnight, following parliamentary approval  .Palestine Action, known for its direct-action protests targeting British military equipment linked to Israeli defense firms, including a recent incident at RAF Brize Norton that damaged two RAF Voyager aircraft estimated at £7 million, argued that it neither advocates nor engages in violence, and that criminalizing support for its activities would infringe civil liberties  .Co-founder Huda Ammori sought an interim court order to suspend the designation until a full hearing scheduled for July 21. However, Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled that the risk of harm from a delayed implementation was outweighed by the “strong public interest” in enforcing the ban without delay. He denied permission to appeal in the High Court, advising the group to take its case to the Court of Appeal instead  .The proscription, introduced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and backed overwhelmingly by MPs and peers, will classify membership in or support for Palestine Action as a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison, with even public display of its symbols carrying up to six months’ imprisonment  .Supporters and civil liberties advocates argue the ban blurs the line between peaceful dissent and violent extremism. Raza Husain KC, representing the group, drew parallels to historical civil disobedience movements, asserting that the move is “authoritarian” and risks chilling freedom of speech and assembly  .“The first time in our history a direct‑action civil disobedience group which does not advocate violence has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation,” Husain told the court  .Critics have also noted that internal Home Office reports expressed concern that the ban could set a dangerous precedent by equating property damage with terrorism  .Despite today’s setback, Palestine Action’s legal challenge continues. The group will press for a judicial review on July 21, while its supporters vow to appeal the interim decision and maintain protests against the proscription.⸻