Supreme Court hears Palestine Action ban appeal

The UK’s highest court began hearing an appeal on Wednesday against the government's ban on the group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. Group co-founder Huda Ammori is leading the legal challenge to quash the prohibition.

More than 20 demonstrators assembled outside the central London court before the hearing commenced. Police officers were seen removing several individuals from the vicinity and placing them into vans. Actor Alfred Enoch was present, holding a sign that read “this is democracy not terrorism”.

Arguments presented in court

Raza Husain KC, representing Ms Ammori, argued that fewer than 1% of Palestine Action's activities over a five-year period met the definition of terrorism. He stated this was based solely on the involvement of “serious damage to property”. Mr Husain told the court that the ban had resulted in the “total destruction of a protest group which enjoyed widespread support from across civil society”.

He further contended that Palestine Action was the first of 98 proscribed organisations to be banned exclusively for causing serious property damage, with no suggestion of advocacy for serious violence against individuals. The case reached the Supreme Court after Ms Ammori challenged the 2025 decision by the then-home secretary Yvette Cooper at the High Court. Initially, three judges found the ban unlawful, but this decision was overturned by five Court of Appeal judges in June, who ruled the ban lawful and a “justified and proportionate” interference with freedom of expression rights.

Home Office and Community Security Trust submissions

Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, stated that the Court of Appeal had rejected Ms Ammori’s portrayal of Palestine Action as a “non-violent direct action protest group”. He argued that acts involving serious property damage could be considered terrorism, without the need for violence or intent to endanger life. Sir James also submitted that information provided by Ms Ammori regarding the group’s structure, activities, and membership remained “notably vague and incomplete”.

In submissions on behalf of the Community Security Trust and the Jewish Leadership Council, Adam Wagner KC stated that the UK Jewish community is “especially vulnerable to Palestine Action’s violent activities”. He noted that activists had attacked Jewish charities and businesses. Mr Wagner warned that lifting the proscription would “re-arm and revitalise a sinister and dangerous movement” and could signal a “green light” for perpetrators of “violent antisemitism more broadly”.

The Supreme Court, comprising Lords Reed, Sales, Lloyd-Jones, Briggs, and Stephens, is expected to deliver its decision at a later date. The ban means that expressing support for Palestine Action is now an offence under the Terrorism Act, with over 3,000 people arrested since its introduction.