UK Supreme Court Reviews Palestine Action Terror Designation Amidst Mass Protests
Legal challenge against the government's terrorist classification sparks widespread arrests outside the High Court.
1Legal Challenge Commences
The UK Supreme Court has begun hearing a critical appeal from Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori. The case seeks to overturn the government's June 2025 decision to designate the group as a terrorist organization. This marks the first instance where a group was proscribed solely for property damage rather than violence.
2Mass Arrests Reported
Police arrested 25 protesters outside the London court on Wednesday on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organization. These detentions follow a pattern of aggressive enforcement, including 325 arrests at a recent US embassy demonstration. Authorities state they have the legal power to detain anyone suspected of expressing support for the group.
3Defense Arguments Presented
Barrister Raza Husain KC argued that less than one percent of the group’s protests meet the legal definition of terrorism. He emphasized that the organization has never advocated for violence against individuals. The defense compared their tactics to historical movements like the Suffragettes, noting that those groups were not labeled terrorists.
4Prominent Figures Detained
Among those arrested was lawyer and former government official Tim Crosland, who warned that democracy and freedom of expression are at stake. Protesters held placards questioning the consistency of the law, citing instances where similar public statements by others were not prosecuted. Police maintained that judicial outcomes remain the court's responsibility.
5Diverse Activist Participation
The protest drew a wide range of participants, including Jewish activists who explicitly rejected the terrorist label. One demonstrator, Ayelet Cohen, held signs condemning settler violence while wearing a shirt labeling Zionism as racism. These activists argue that the judicial system displays bias against groups advocating for Palestinian rights and solidarity.
6Escalating Legal Conflict
Over 4,000 people have faced arrest or prosecution in connection with the ban since its implementation. The legal battle has seen fluctuating rulings, with the High Court previously declaring the ban unlawful in February 2026 before the Court of Appeal overturned that decision. The current Supreme Court hearing represents a final appeal.
7Broad Institutional Involvement
The case has drawn significant attention from civil society, with Amnesty International, Liberty, and English PEN supporting the legal challenge. Conversely, the Home Office, the Jewish Leadership Council, and the Community Security Trust are actively opposing the appeal. These organizations represent the deeply divided views on the group's direct-action tactics.
8Future Court Proceedings
The two-day hearing is expected to conclude on Thursday, with a final judgment to follow at a later date. The court has announced that the final session will occur behind closed doors. This procedure may allow judges to review sensitive intelligence and security evidence that remains confidential from the general public.