The High Court has ruled that the ban of Palestine Action under terrorism legislation was unlawful.

The judgment shows the court agreed with our key arguments that “the interference with article 10 [right to freedom of expression] and 11 [right to freedom of assembly and association] is very significant.” 

We welcome the court’s findings, but the Government has said that it will appeal the decision. Palestine Action remains a proscribed group while the Court decides whether to keep the ban in place pending the appeal.  

This case has exposed a deeper problem where the line between direct action and terrorism has become dangerously blurred, and this will continue to have a chilling effect on protest and free speech. People must be able to stand up, speak out, and take part in protest without fear of being labelled a terrorist and arrested. 

When it’s not clear what counts as terrorism, public trust collapses and without trust, counter-terror laws simply don’t work. 

We’re calling for a clearer definition and tighter laws to prevent the misuse of counter-terror powers, now and in the future. You can read more here. 

Thank you, 

Ruth Ehrlich 

Director of External Relations