High Court Rules UK Ban On Palestine Action Unlawful
High Court found the proscription disproportionate and unlawful, prompting praise from the group and a government appeal that keeps the ban in place pending review.
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Overview
On Friday, three High Court judges ruled the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action was unlawful and “disproportionate,” striking down the Home Secretary’s designation.
The government proscribed the group under the Terrorism Act last July after activists entered RAF Brize Norton in June 2025 and vandalised military aircraft, officials said.
Palestine Action cofounder Huda Ammori called the ruling “a victory for Palestine,” saying the ban had “backfired” and raised the group’s profile.
Roughly 2,700 to 3,000 people have been arrested for holding placards since the proscription took effect, and tens of thousands have protested, according to reporting and campaign groups.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “disappointed” and intends to appeal, and the proscription remains in place pending the appeals process.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report the High Court ruling neutrally, laying out judicial findings, government intent to appeal, protesters' and civil‑liberties reactions, and police statements without evaluative language. They attribute claims—RAF base break‑ins, alleged damage, a jury acquittal—to specific actors, balancing free‑speech and security concerns rather than advancing a partisan narrative.
FAQ
Palestine Action is a protest group targeting corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex. It was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025 after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June 2025 and damaged military aircraft.
The High Court ruled on February 13, 2026, that the proscription was unlawful and disproportionate, as the Home Secretary failed to give the group a chance to make representations, ignored relevant considerations, and breached free speech and assembly rights.
The ban remains in effect pending the government's appeal and a hearing on February 20, 2026.
Co-founder Huda Ammori called it a victory for Palestine that backfired on the government. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment and intends to appeal.
Roughly 2,700 to 3,000 people have been arrested for holding placards, and tens of thousands have protested since the ban.
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