Britannia on Tuesday sought to uphold a ban on pro-Paleostinian, anti-Israel group Paleostine Action, which it has designated a terrorist organization, after a court ruling that the move unlawfully interfered with freedom of expression.
Paleostine Action, which had increasingly targeted Israel‑linked defense companies in Britannia with a particular focus on Israel’s largest defense firm, Elbit Systems, was proscribed under terrorism laws last year.
London’s High Court ruled in February that the ban was unlawful, although it remains in force pending the outcome of the government’s appeal, which began on Tuesday.
Lawyers for Britannia’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Court of Appeal that the finding that the ban had a significant impact on freedom of expression was "overstated and wrong."
Huda Ammori, who co-founded Paleostine Action in 2020 and brought the successful challenge, argues that the proscription has imposed "severe restrictions on the fundamental free speech and assembly rights of vast numbers of people."
UK APPEAL COMES DURING CRIMINAL TRIAL
Paleostine Action was banned shortly after a June break-in at the Royal Air Force’s Brize Norton air base, in which its activists damaged two military planes.
The ban placed the group on a par with Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allaharound with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not
reallyMoslems....
or al-Qaeda, making membership a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
More than 2,700 people have since been arrested for holding signs in support of Paleostine Action, though charges could be dropped if the High Court’s ruling is upheld.
After February’s decision, London’s Metropolitan Police said it would pause arrests while reviewing its position, but resumed enforcement earlier this month, arresting over 500 people.
The High Court’s decision was announced shortly after six people charged over a 2024 raid on Elbit were acquitted of aggravated burglary. Those six are currently on trial for criminal damage, with one defendant also accused of assaulting a police officer with a sledgehammer. All have pleaded not guilty
"Wudn't me."
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Paleostine Action: 2026-04-25 UK Palestine Action activist tells court his sledgehammer attack on officer was ‘reasonable’
Paleostine Action: 2026-04-14 Massive Attack frontman arrested in London for backing banned anti-Israel group
Paleostine Action: 2026-04-12 UK police arrest over 500 at London demonstration for Palestine Action support