The co-founder of Palestine Action has vowed to overturn the terrorism ban on the direct action group, asserting that the battle will be won either in the courts or 'on the streets'.
Court Ruling and Appeal
On Monday, five court of appeal judges upheld the ban on Palestine Action, reversing a high court judgment from February. The high court had previously ruled the ban unlawful, but the appeal court found that the high court had wrongly limited the home secretary's discretion on national security.
Huda Ammori, a founder of Palestine Action and the one who brought the legal challenge, expressed disappointment but remained confident of victory. 'I'm certain that legally we are correct that this ban is disproportionate to free speech and the right to protest. I think that's really clear,' she said. 'We just need to get to the right court that's going to recognise that and we'll take it all the way up to the European court of human rights, if needs be.'
Civil Disobedience Campaign
Alongside the legal challenge, a civil disobedience campaign has seen over 3,000 people arrested, mainly for holding placards supporting Palestine Action. Another 117 were arrested outside the court of appeal on Monday, and two outside the Old Bailey, where a criminal trial involving activists from the group is taking place.
Ammori emphasised that such defiance remains crucial. 'This case is completely political, and the way we are going to win this is on the streets,' she said. 'Everyone who sacrificed and stood up against this, all of that is bringing us closer and closer to the day when we are victorious.'
Comparison to Suffragettes
Ammori criticised the appeal court judges' assertion that 'Palestine Action has little or nothing in common with the suffragettes'. She pointed out that the suffragettes conducted a nationwide bombing campaign and that Emily Davison, commemorated by two statues, attacked a clergyman with a horse whip after mistaking him for the chancellor. 'It just is completely inaccurate and quite crazy that they even felt like they needed to make that comparison,' Ammori said.
Setbacks and Sentencing
Monday's judgment followed Friday's sentencing of four activists involved in a 2024 raid on an Israeli manufacturer's arms factory near Bristol. They were convicted of criminal damage for smashing drones and equipment at the Elbit Systems UK site, with one also convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent. The judge ruled there was a 'terrorist connection' to the criminal damage charge, which had not been presented to the jury.
'It feels like that this whole thing has been orchestrated to ensure convictions and show people can be sentenced as terrorists to then justify the ban on Palestine Action,' said Ammori.
Call for Resilience
Despite the setbacks, Ammori urged supporters to stay strong. 'Remember, who we are acting in solidarity with, which is the Palestinian people, who, despite all of the setbacks and challenges they face, including being labelled as terrorists, are continuing to resist for their freedom,' she said. 'And [remember] that we are acting in solidarity with them and we can take strength from the Palestinian people and that whenever there is repression, there is more resistance.'
'The way that we respond to this is by fighting even harder, that every struggle has its setbacks. But we are going to win in the end. We can't give in. We can't be deterred.'
Home Secretary's Response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'The court has found that Palestine Action has carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who have taken part in those acts and promoted the use of violence. It is not an ordinary protest or civil disobedience group, and its actions are not consistent with democratic values and the rule of law.'
'This decision does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause, which remains a fundamental democratic right. There is a difference between supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist group.'
'We will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and keep the public safe.'
