UK High Court Rules Ban on Palestine Action Unlawful but Allows Government Appeal

(NationalFreedomPress.com) – UK High Court slaps down Labour government’s terror ban on Palestine Action for trampling free speech, yet lets the ban linger amid RAF vandalism outrage.

Story Snapshot

High Court rules Home Office proscription unlawful and disproportionate on February 13, 2026, citing chill on protest rights.
Judges grant permission to appeal on February 25, keeping ban in force with up to 14 years prison for support.
Palestine Action caused £7 million RAF plane damage in June 2025, sparking initial ban under Yvette Cooper.
Thousands arrested for signs, zero convictions from 700 terrorism charges highlight overreach concerns.
Home Office spent £700,000 defending flawed process, exposing Labour security weaknesses.

RAF Vandalism Sparks Terror Label

In June 2025, Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton base and vandalized two military planes, inflicting £7 million in damage. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the act disgraceful. The group, formed in 2020, targets Elbit Systems UK and military sites over UK-Israel ties. This incident, amid post-October 2023 Gaza escalations, prompted swift government action. Officials framed such break-ins as national security threats, equating the group’s tactics to serious dangers.

Home Office Proscribes Group Amid Mass Arrests

July 2025 saw then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism laws, grouping it with al-Qaeda and Hamas. Support or membership carried up to 14 years imprisonment. Government data reports 1,630 arrests linked to support by September 2025; activists claim 2,787 for holding signs. Nearly 700 faced terrorism charges, yet none resulted in convictions. The Home Office spent nearly £700,000 defending the ban in judicial review brought by co-founder Huda Ammori.

High Court Declares Ban Unlawful

On February 13, 2026, High Court judges Dame Victoria Sharp, Mr Justice Swift, and Ms Justice Steyn ruled the proscription unlawful and disproportionate. They found only a small fraction of activities met terrorism thresholds, creating a chilling effect on speech and assembly. The court criticized Cooper’s failure to assess proportionality per Home Office policy. A jury acquitted six members on serious charges days earlier. Metropolitan Police shifted from mass arrests to evidence gathering for displays.

Appeal Permission Maintains Ban

Circa February 25, 2026, the same judges permitted Home Office appeal to the Court of Appeal, preserving the ban pending outcome. Current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment, noting court acknowledgment of terrorism acts and pledging to fight the judgment. She cited a rigorous parliamentary process. Jewish groups welcomed the move for public safety. Legal expert Lui Asquith called the persisting ban an oddity despite rights violations.

Implications for Security and Rights

Short-term, the ban continues, enabling arrests despite the ruling’s rebuke. Long-term, appeal outcome sets precedent on labeling protest groups as terrorists. Economic hits include RAF repair costs and legal fees. Palestinian activists hail a monumental free speech victory; security advocates stress violence promotion risks. This exposes Labour’s procedural flaws, mirroring conservative warnings on government overreach eroding liberties while weak on real threats like vandalism against allies.