Palestine Action has achieved a significant legal victory in the High Court against the Home Office’s decision to designate the organization as a terrorist group. The court ruled on Friday that the ban imposed under the Terrorism Act 2000 was unlawful, criminalizing support for Palestine Action with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison since last summer.

Following the announcement of the court’s decision, approximately one hundred individuals gathered outside the High Court in central London, expressing their support for Palestine with cheers and chants of “Free Palestine.” Despite the ruling, Palestine Action will continue to be classified as a terrorist group to allow for further deliberations and potential government appeal, according to Judge Dame Victoria Sharp.

Dame Victoria highlighted that the court deemed the former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s proscription of the group as “disproportionate.” She noted that while a few of Palestine Action’s activities met the definition of terrorism under the 2000 Act, the organization’s overall actions did not warrant proscription given the current level, scale, and persistence.

In response to the court’s decision, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment and confirmed the government’s intention to appeal. Mahmood defended the proscription, emphasizing that Palestine Action’s actions were not in line with democratic values and the rule of law, indicating that the decision was evidence-based and necessary for national security.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for the dropping of charges against protesters supporting Palestine Action, citing the court’s ruling that the ban was unlawful. Polanski urged the government to cease criminalizing protesters advocating against genocide and to address the UK’s involvement in the matter, highlighting the numerous arrests made in connection with demonstrations.

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