Supreme Court hears appeal against Palestine Action ban

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 17:22 · Archive

The UK Supreme Court is hearing an appeal against the government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

The UK Supreme Court began hearing an appeal on Wednesday against the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Huda Ammori, co-founder of the direct action group, is seeking to overturn the ban imposed in July last year.

Palestine Action describes itself as a direct action movement committed to ending global participation in what it characterises as Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime. The proscription places it on the same list as armed groups including al-Qaeda, ISIL and Boko Haram. Those found guilty of belonging to or supporting the organisation could face up to 14 years in prison.

About 25 protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court in central London as the hearing began, with police arresting demonstrators on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act. Footage showed officers carrying several people away into police vans. Actor Alfred Enoch attended and held a placard reading 'this is democracy not terrorism'.

On the first day of the two-day hearing, Raza Husain KC, representing Ammori, told the five judges that Palestine Action never advocated for violence against people and that its tactics were similar to or less extreme than those used by the suffragettes and anti-war and environmental groups. He told the court that the suffragettes used arson and bombing attacks but were not proscribed and are now venerated as being on the right side of history.

Husain argued that the ban had affected the entire Palestinian solidarity movement regardless of any connection with Palestine Action and had chilled expression among journalists, academics and artists. Ammori has argued that proscription represents a disproportionate interference with rights to freedom of speech and protest. According to reporting, Palestine Action was the first of 98 proscribed groups banned solely for causing serious property damage rather than advocating violence against people.

Rights groups including Amnesty International and Liberty have opposed the proscription, describing it as a misuse of terrorism powers. Euronews reported that more than 4,000 arrests have been made under the ban, including 325 outside the US embassy on 31 October, with charges linked to the prohibition potentially affected if the appeal succeeds.

In written submissions for the Home Secretary, Sir James Eadie KC said the Court of Appeal's decision against which Ammori is appealing was lawful and proportionate. The Supreme Court hearing continues.

How it is being reported

• Dozens protest as Supreme Court begins hearing appeal against Palestine Action banActivists gathered outside the central London court on Wednesday, with around 25 demonstrators arrestedEvening Standard · 4 Nov, 17:12
• UK: Police arrest Palestine Action supporters outside Supreme CourtPolice arrested supporters of Palestine Action outside the Supreme Court in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday 4 November, as a legal battle over the British government's ban on the group resumed.Euronews · 4 Nov, 16:48
• Palestine Action activists used similar tactics to the suffragettes, court toldLawyers for direct action group say decision to proscribe organisation as terrorist group is attack on freedom of speech and protest Palestine Action was banned as a terrorist group after using tactics similar to – or less extreme than – the suffragettes, the UK’s highest court has heard. Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, is challenging last year’s decision to proscribe the direct action organisation , placing it alongside groups such as al-Qaida and Boko Haram. Continue reading...The Guardian · 4 Nov, 15:49
• Dozens arrested outside court hearing Palestine Action ban challengeDozens of protesters have been arrested outside the Supreme Court ahead of a hearing challenging the ban on Palestine Action.Sky News · 4 Nov, 12:44
• UK Supreme Court hears appeal against Palestine Action’s proscriptionRights activists say UK decision against Palestine Action is a 'misuse of terrorism powers'.Al Jazeera · 4 Nov, 12:43
• Arrests made as Supreme Court begins hearing appeal against Palestine Action banThe UK’s highest court is hearing an appeal against the ban on Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.Evening Standard · 4 Nov, 11:27

In this story: Huda Ammori · Palestine Action · UK Supreme Court · Raza Husain · James Eadie · Alfred Enoch · Sarah Helm

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log