Palestine Action Co-Founder Challenges UK Terror Ban at Supreme Court
Co-founder of Palestine Action challenges UK's terror ban amid 4,000 arrests.
Why it matters: This case questions the use of anti-terror laws against political protesters, impacting civil liberties and counterterrorism enforcement. Legal professionals must monitor how terrorism laws intersect with activists' rights.
- Palestine Action was banned under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025.
- Over 4,000 people arrested for supporting Palestine Action since the ban.
- Supreme Court hearing on Nov 4, 2026, challenges group's proscription under human rights law.
- High Court ruled ban unlawful in Feb 2026, overturned by Court of Appeal in June 2026.
Palestine Action, a direct action group founded in 2020 targeting companies linked to arms supplies to Israel, was designated a terrorist organization by the UK government in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act 2000 (UK Supreme Court case).
Since its proscription, authorities have arrested over 4,000 individuals for expressing support for the group, reflecting the government's strict enforcement of the ban (Courthouse News).
On November 4, 2026, the UK Supreme Court commenced hearing an appeal filed by Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, contesting the legality of the proscription, particularly its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (The Guardian). During the hearing, more than two dozen supporters were arrested outside the court for displaying support (AP News).
The High Court initially ruled in February 2026 that the ban was unlawful, but this decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal in June 2026 (The Guardian).
Palestine Action has conducted more than 385 direct actions over five years, with only three incidents legally meeting the terrorism definition due to property damage but without violence against people. The government argues that serious property damage can qualify as terrorism even absent violence to individuals (AP News).
Legal counsel for Ammori stated, "Palestine Action never advocated for violence against the person," highlighting concerns about the application of terror laws to political activism (UK Supreme Court case).
By the numbers:
- 4,000+ arrests — supporting Palestine Action since July 2025 ban
- 385 direct actions — Palestine Action’s campaigns over five years
- 3 incidents — legally defined as terrorism owing to property damage
- 24+ arrests — supporters outside Supreme Court on Nov 4, 2026
Yes, but: The government’s view is that serious property damage can constitute terrorism absent direct violence, complicating the legal assessment.