UK Supreme Court Hears Appeal Against Palestine Action Ban

The UK Supreme Court in London began a two-day hearing on 4 November 2026 on an appeal against the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Al Jazeera reported that about 25 protesters were arrested outside the court as the hearing began, according to the Press Association.

Proscription is the formal banning of a group under terrorism law. Those found guilty of belonging to or supporting Palestine Action risk up to 14 years in prison.

The appeal was brought by Huda Ammori, a co-founder of the group, who helped found it in 2020. She is challenging the Home Secretary's decision to proscribe the group under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000, the part of that law that allows the government to list organisations as terrorist. The Supreme Court's case listing names the matter as R (on the application of Ammori) v Secretary of State and frames the question as whether that decision was lawful.

The government placed the ban in July 2025, under then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and it took effect on 5 July 2025. The government describes Palestine Action as a pro-Palestinian group whose stated aim is to support Palestinian sovereignty by using direct criminal action. The same order added Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement to the list of proscribed organisations. The government said the decision followed advice from cross-government experts.

The legal challenge has already moved through several courts. In February 2026, the High Court ruled the ban unlawful, quashed the designation and found that it unlawfully curbed free speech. The government said it would appeal immediately. The Court of Appeal later upheld the proscription, ruling it lawful because of the group's support for violence.

Andy Burnham was prime minister as of the hearing. The Supreme Court's decision on the appeal will be the next step in the case.