Britain seeks to block challenge to Palestine Action ban under anti-terrorism laws
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A woman holding a Palestinian flag in Britain in August, at a rally challenging the British government’s proscription of Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – The British government on Sept 25 sought to block the co-founder of pro-Palestinian 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 organisation 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 the group.
Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, was in July given permission to challenge the group’s proscription
Britain’s Home Office is asking the British 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 airbase
The group has particularly focused on Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, and Britain’s government cited a raid at an Elbit site in 2024 when it decided to proscribe the group.
Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on Oct 7, 2023. REUTERS
