UK Supreme Court Hears Legal Challenge Against Government Proscription of Palestine Action

The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization on July 5, 2025, after activists entered Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton. The activists spray-painted two Voyager aircraft. This designation criminalized membership in or support for the group. It carries potential prison sentences of up to 14 years. Palestine Action maintains that its methods, such as graffiti, vandalism, occupation, and lock-ons, do not constitute violence against individuals. Co-founder Huda Ammori argued that the ban restricts freedom of speech and the right to protest. This action sparked a dispute over the group's status and the government's approach to protest.

The UK Supreme Court began a two-day hearing to review the appeal against this proscription on November 4, 2026. Police arrested approximately 25 demonstrators outside the court during the proceedings on November 4, 2026.

1. The UK Supreme Court began a two-day hearing on November 4, 2026. Justices are reviewing an appeal against the government's proscription of Palestine Action.

2. The government banned the group in July 2025 under then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer following an incident at RAF Brize Norton. Membership or support for the group carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. The court currently holds the measure under review.

1. Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, describes the government ban as a disproportionate measure. She claims the policy criminalizes legitimate protest and restricts freedom of speech. Ammori maintains that the group "has never advocated violence against any person". She lists their tactics as limited to graffiti, vandalism, occupation, and lock-ons. Ammori also stated that authorities in the UK arrested more than 4,000 people for opposing the war in Gaza.

2. Police arrested approximately 25 demonstrators outside the UK Supreme Court in London on November 4, 2026. The court began a two-day hearing that day to review an appeal against the government's proscription of Palestine Action. The government proscribed the group in July 2025. That decision followed an incident in which activists spray-painted two Voyager aircraft at Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton.