Ban on Palestine Action was lawful, court of appeal rules
A five-judge panel overturned a previous High Court decision, ruling that the government's proscription of the direct action group under the Terrorism Act was lawful
The UK Court of Appeal has ruled that the home secretary's decision to ban the group Palestine Action was lawful, overturning a prior decision by the High Court. In February, the High Court had ruled that the government's proscription of the direct action group under the Terrorism Act was wrong, a decision that has now been reversed by the higher court.[1][2]
The appeal was decided by a five-strong panel of judges, which notably included the two most senior judges in England and Wales. Palestine Action represents the first direct action group to be banned under the nation's Terrorism Act.[1]
In upholding the ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist group, the court evaluated the nature of the group's activities. A judge on the panel stated that the group's behavior was not that of a non-violent, direct action organization.[2]
