Irish author Sally Rooney has described the High Court's decision to overturn the ban on Palestine Action as a victory for civil liberties in Britain. The ruling, delivered last week, found that proscribing the direct action group under anti-terrorism laws was disproportionate and unlawful.
Rooney, who provided two witness statements in support of the case brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, said she was 'immensely pleased and heartened' by the outcome. She argued that the proscription represented 'a truly extreme assault on ordinary rights and freedoms'.
The author of Normal People and Conversations with Friends noted that the legal question was 'not whether Palestine Action is justified in carrying out its activities, but whether it ought to be a criminal offence even to have that debate'. She emphasised that the Terrorism Act was intended for armed groups posing a serious threat, not protest groups.
However, the judges rejected the notion that Palestine Action is non-violent, describing it as an organisation that 'promotes its political cause through criminality'. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment and vowed to appeal, stating that proscription followed a rigorous process.
Rooney disagreed with the characterisation of property damage as violence, calling it consistent with civil disobedience traditions. She intends to use proceeds from her works to support Palestine Action.
