Court Backs Palestine Action Ban As Appeal Judges Overturn High Court

Court Backs Palestine Action Ban As Appeal Judges Overturn High Court Ruling

Government Wins Major Legal Victory

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action was lawful, overturning an earlier High Court judgement that found the proscription unlawful and discriminatory.

The ruling represents a significant victory for ministers, who argued that the group's activities posed risks to public safety and national security.

Judges Reject Free Speech Challenge

In February, the High Court sided with Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, finding that the ban breached rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under the European Convention on Human Rights.

However, a five-judge Court of Appeal panel has now reversed that decision, concluding that the government's actions were proportionate and legally justified.

Court Says Ban Strikes 'Fair Balance'

Delivering the judgement, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said the proscription struck a fair balance between individual rights and the state's responsibility to protect national security.

The court found that the Home Secretary was entitled to assess future threats posed by the organisation and determine whether proscription was necessary.

Judges Reject Comparison With Suffragettes

The ruling was particularly critical of Palestine Action's attempts to compare itself with historic civil disobedience movements such as the suffragettes.

Judges said the group operated through secretive cells designed to avoid detection and prosecution, rather than conducting open public protest campaigns.

The court concluded that Palestine Action promoted unlawful violence against property and had caused both injuries and significant damage.

Support For Palestine Remains Legal

The court stressed that the ban does not prevent people from expressing support for Palestinians, criticising Israel's actions in Gaza, or protesting against Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.

Judges said the proscription specifically targeted Palestine Action's methods and activities rather than broader political views on the conflict.

Activists Vow To Continue Legal Fight

Following the ruling, Huda Ammori described the decision as politically motivated and pledged to continue challenging the ban.

She said the case would now be taken to the UK Supreme Court and, if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights.

Ammori argued that the ban represented one of the most serious attacks on protest rights and free speech in modern British history.

Fresh Arrests Follow Court Decision

Outside the court, police arrested demonstrators holding signs expressing support for Palestine Action.

Since the organisation was banned, thousands of arrests have reportedly been made under terrorism legislation relating to public displays of support for the group.

Campaigners argue the measures are excessive, while ministers insist the law is being applied correctly.

Elbit Systems Remains Central To Dispute

A major point of disagreement throughout the case has been the role of Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems, which has been a frequent target of Palestine Action protests.

The Court of Appeal described Elbit as a company conducting lawful business activities, a characterisation strongly disputed by activists who argue the company profits from Israel's military operations in Gaza.

The judgement leaves the ban firmly in place for now, but the legal and political battle surrounding Palestine Action appears far from over.

SOURCE