Palestine Action Co-Founder Commits to Overturning Ban
The co-founder of Palestine Action has asserted that the effort to overturn the terrorism ban imposed on the direct action group will ultimately succeed, whether through legal channels or public demonstrations.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the ban on the organisation was lawful, reversing a previous decision which had limited the home secretary’s discretion regarding national security matters.
Huda Ammori, a founder of Palestine Action and the individual who initiated the legal challenge against the ban, expressed disappointment with the ruling but maintained confidence in a future victory.
“I‘m certain that legally we are correct that this ban is disproportionate to free speech and the right to protest. I think that’s really clear,”
“We just need to get to the right court that’s going to recognise that and we’ll take it all the way up to the European court of human rights, if needs be.”
Ongoing Civil Disobedience and Arrests
Alongside the legal proceedings, a civil disobedience campaign has been active, resulting in over 3,000 arrests, predominantly for holding placards in support of Palestine Action. On Monday, an additional 117 individuals were arrested outside the Court of Appeal, with two more arrests occurring outside the Old Bailey, where a criminal trial involving activists from the group is underway.
Ammori emphasized the importance of continued defiance in the face of the ban.
“This case is completely political, and the way we are going to win this is on the streets,”
“Everyone who sacrificed and stood up against this, all of that is bringing us closer and closer to the day when we are victorious.”
Judicial Comparison and Political Context
Highlighting what she described as the politicisation of the case, Ammori referenced the Court of Appeal judges’ statement that “Palestine Action has little or nothing in common with the suffragettes.”
She noted that the suffragettes had engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign and that Emily Davison, commemorated by two statues, had attacked a clergyman with a horse whip after mistaking him for the then chancellor, David Lloyd George. Ammori criticized the judges’ comparison as inaccurate and unfounded.
“It just is completely inaccurate and quite crazy that they even felt like they needed to make that comparison.”
Recent Convictions and Sentencing
The Court of Appeal ruling followed a recent setback for Palestine Action after the sentencing of four activists involved in a 2024 raid on an Israeli manufacturer’s arms factory near Bristol.
The activists were convicted by a jury of criminal damage for damaging drones and other equipment at the Elbit Systems UK site. The judge had limited what the defendants could say regarding their motivations during the trial. One activist was also convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent. During sentencing, the judge applied a previously unpresented legal standard to the criminal damage charge.
“It feels like that this whole thing has been orchestrated to ensure convictions and show people can be sentenced as terrorists to then justify the ban on Palestine Action,”
Ammori said.
Call for Support and Solidarity
Despite these challenges, Ammori urged supporters to remain resolute.
“Remember, who we are acting in solidarity with, which is the Palestinian people, who, despite all of the setbacks and challenges they face, including being labelled as terrorists, are continuing to resist for their freedom,”
“And [remember] that we are acting in solidarity with them and we can take strength from the Palestinian people and that whenever there is repression, there is more resistance.
“The way that we respond to this is by fighting even harder, that every struggle has its setbacks. But we are going to win in the end. We can’t give in. We can’t be deterred.”
Home Secretary's Statement on the Ban
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood commented on the ruling, stating:
“The court has found that Palestine Action has carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who have taken part in those acts and promoted the use of violence. It is not an ordinary protest or civil disobedience group, and its actions are not consistent with democratic values and the rule of law.
“This decision does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause, which remains a fundamental democratic right. There is a difference between supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist group.
“We will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and keep the public safe.”
