British government challenges ‘overstated and wrong’ court decision that Palestine Action ban is unlawful

Britain seeks to uphold a ban on pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, which it has designated a terrorist organization, after a court ruling that the move unlawfully interferes with freedom of expression.

Palestine Action, which has increasingly targeted Israel‑linked defense companies in Britain with a particular focus on Israel’s largest defense firm Elbit Systems, was proscribed under UK terrorism laws last year.

London’s High Court ruled in February that the ban is unlawful, although it remains in force pending the outcome of the government’s appeal, which has begun today.

Lawyers for Britain’s interior minister, Shabana Mahmood, tells the Court of Appeal that the finding that the ban has a significant impact on freedom of expression is “overstated and wrong.”

Huda Ammori, who co-founded Palestine Action in 2020 and brought the successful challenge, argues proscription has imposed “severe restrictions on the fundamental free speech and assembly rights of vast numbers of people.”