What's happened
The UK High Court has ruled that proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was disproportionate, citing free speech concerns. The government plans to appeal, while police will no longer arrest supporters. The case questions the balance between security and civil liberties amid ongoing protests.
What's behind the headline?
The court's decision exposes a critical tension in UK counter-terrorism policy. While the government argues that Palestine Action's activities threaten national security, the High Court found the proscription disproportionate, emphasizing the group's limited terrorist acts. This ruling signals a potential shift towards prioritizing civil liberties over broad security measures. The government's plan to appeal suggests a continued debate over the limits of protest and activism in the UK. The police's stance to cease arrests for support signs reflects a recognition of the ruling's implications, but the ongoing legal battle indicates that the core issue—balancing security with free speech—remains unresolved. This case will likely influence future policies on protest groups and the use of terror laws in the UK, with broader implications for civil rights and government authority.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that the UK government proscribed Palestine Action after activists vandalized RAF planes in June 2025, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemning the act. The High Court later ruled the proscription unlawful, citing disproportionate interference with free speech. The Independent highlights that three judges found the ban 'disproportionate' and that police will no longer arrest supporters, though the government plans to appeal. Reuters confirms that the Home Office has been granted permission to challenge the ruling, maintaining the ban pending the appeal process. These contrasting perspectives underscore the legal and political debate surrounding the group's status and the broader issue of protest rights versus national security.
How we got here
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, has engaged in direct actions targeting UK military sites, including damaging facilities linked to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The UK government proscribed the group in June 2025, citing acts of terrorism and damage worth millions. The move aimed to curb protests supporting Palestine amid the Gaza conflict, but faced legal challenges over its impact on civil rights.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian protest network that uses direct action tactics to shut down and disrupt multinational arms dealers. In particular, the group targets UK-based operations that provide weapons used in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
-
Dame Victoria Madeleine Sharp, DBE, QC is the President of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales.
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
Shabana Mahmood is a British Labour Party politician and barrister serving as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Ladywood since 2010. She has served in the Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer as the Labour Party National Campaign Coordinator since 2021.