Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
UK Supreme Court hears appeal against Palestine Action ban
The UK Supreme Court is hearing an appeal by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori against the ban on the group.
The British government banned Palestine Action under terrorism laws in 2025, making membership and public support for it criminal offences.
Ammori’s lawyers say only three of 385 actions by the group over five years were assessed as meeting the legal definition of terrorism.
They argue that using counterterrorism laws against a direct-action group risks criminalising political dissent.
The government is defending the ban after the High Court ruled it unlawful in February 2026 and the Court of Appeal reinstated it in June.
Human rights groups and UN experts have warned that the ban could discourage protest and other civic activity.
The hearing is expected to last two days, with part of the evidence heard in secret because of national security concerns; the Supreme Court will decide whether the ban stands.
The UK Supreme Court is hearing an appeal over the government’s ban on Palestine Action.
Co-founder Huda Ammori is challenging the ban, which the government will defend.
The two-day hearing began on Wednesday, 4 November, and some proceedings will be held in secret because of national security evidence.
Ammori’s lawyers say only three of 385 actions by the group over five years were assessed as meeting the definition of terrorism.
The case follows conflicting lower-court rulings on whether the ban was lawful.
- Who
- Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is appealing. The UK government is defending the ban.
- What
- The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal against the ban on Palestine Action under UK terrorism laws.
- When
- The two-day hearing began on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
- Where
- The UK Supreme Court.
- Why
- Ammori is challenging the ban, while the government is defending its decision to proscribe the group.
Huda Ammori and her legal team
UK government
Legality of the ban
Huda Ammori and her legal team
Ammori’s team argues that the ban unlawfully restricts human rights and political dissent.
UK government
The government is defending its decision to ban the group under terrorism laws.
The group’s activities
Huda Ammori and her legal team
Ammori’s team says only three of 385 actions over five years met the definition of terrorism.
UK government
The government relies on the Court of Appeal’s rejection of the portrayal of Palestine Action as a non-violent direct-action protest group.
The British government banned Palestine Action under UK terrorism laws.
The High Court ruled the proscription unlawful and a disproportionate interference with human rights.
The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court ruling and restored the terrorism designation.
The Supreme Court granted Huda Ammori permission to appeal.
The Supreme Court began a two-day hearing on the appeal.
- Appeal
- Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action
- Hearing
- Two days, beginning Wednesday, 4 November 2026
- Actions cited
- 3 of 385 assessed as meeting the definition of terrorism
- Ban
- Introduced in July 2025 under UK terrorism laws
- Lower-court ruling
- Court of Appeal restored the designation in June 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
the total destruction of a protest group which enjoyed widespread support from across civil society