UK government attempts to block Palestine Action from challenging terror proscription
Home Office asks appeals court to overturn decision allowing anti-Israel group’s co-founder to file legal challenge against ban under anti-terrorism laws
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LONDON — The British government on Thursday sought to block the co-founder of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel campaign group Palestine Action from bringing a legal challenge over the banning of the group under anti-terrorism laws.
Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain, often spraying red paint, blocking entrances or damaging equipment. It accuses Britain’s government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
The group was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July, making it a crime to be a member, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. More than 1,000 people have since been arrested for holding signs in support of Palestine Action.
Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, was permitted in July to challenge the group’s proscription on the grounds that it was arguably a disproportionate interference with the right to freedom of expression.
Britain’s Home Office (interior ministry) is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn that decision and rule that any challenge to proscription should be heard by a specialist tribunal, rather than the High Court.
Palestine Action was proscribed shortly after some of its members broke into the RAF Brize Norton air base and damaged two planes in June, for which four members have been charged.
The group has particularly focused on Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems and Britain’s government cited a raid at an Elbit site last year when it decided to proscribe the group.
Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.