UK Supreme Court Allows Appeal of Palestine Action Terror Ban

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom granted Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, permission to challenge the legality of the group's proscription as a terrorist organization. The court will expedite the hearing between October and December 2026, specifically examining whether the government incorrectly applied its own policy when issuing the ban. This follows a June Court of Appeal ruling that overturned a previous High Court decision, declaring the ban imposed by former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper as a justified interference with freedom of expression.

Concurrent with the court's decision, the Metropolitan Police arrested between 77 and 117 people during a Graduation Day protest organized by Defend Our Juries outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. Most detainees, including former royal advisor Sir Jonathan Porritt, were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for expressing support for the proscribed group. The demonstration coincided with the adjournment of over 2,000 cases related to the group until October 26, a move that caused significant disruption for defendants.

The legal resolution remains critical as the current status of more than 3,500 individuals arrested for alleged support of the group remains in limbo. While the Supreme Court agreed to hear the policy-based challenge, it rejected arguments based on freedom of speech and association rights.