Labeling Palestine Action a terrorist group was illegal, Britain’s High Court rules

Britain’s High Court says the UK government acted illegally when it designated the protest group Palestine Action a terrorist organization, a decision that led to the arrest of thousands of peaceful protesters.

“It was a really important moment,” said Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch As It Happened Guest presenter Nora Young after Friday’s verdict came down.

“Certainly, many of us in the court were filled with great joy and happiness.”

However, he noted, the war is not over. The ban remains in place pending an appeal by the UK government, and the future of protesters facing charges under the Terrorism Act hangs in the balance.

‘I intend to fight this decision’: Home Secretary

Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori, a plaintiff in the case, called the decision “a huge victory for our fundamental freedoms here in Britain and the struggle for freedom for the Palestinian people.”

Ammori praised the court for “overturning a decision that will forever be remembered as one of the worst attacks on free speech in recent British history.”

On the other hand, the Secretary of Home Affairs, Shabana Mahmood, said she was disappointed with the court’s decision and disagreed with “the idea that closing down this terrorist organization is disproportionate.”

He pointed out that although the designation of terrorism prevents people from supporting Palestine Action, in particular, it does not prevent anyone from protesting in support of the Palestinians in general.

“I intend to fight this decision,” said Mahmood.

British Jewish organizations the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement saying they were “deeply concerned” by the decision.

“We recognize the critical importance of judicial oversight in matters of national security and civil liberties,” it reads. “However, the practical impact of Palestine Action on Jewish life has been profound and deeply disturbing.”

Palestine Action opposes British military support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Since Hamas and other militias attacked Israel on Oct.7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 people, the Israel Defense Forces have bombed and carried out a campaign of destruction in Gaza that has killed 71,824 people and displaced more than 73,000 people. according to the United Nations.

South Africa has accused Israel of killing people in Gaza at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, allegations supported by the human rights organization Amnesty International. Israel has repeatedly denied this.

You are bound to carry signs

The government has declared Palestine Action a terrorist organization that targets activists he broke into a Royal Air Force base in June and destroyed two planes, causing 7 million pounds ($13 million Cnd) worth of damage.

UK definition of terrorism it includes engaging in “sabotage” “designed to influence a government, or an intergovernmental organization or to intimidate the public.”

In Canadain contrast, damage to property is considered terrorism only if it can cause death or bodily harm.

By declaring the group a terrorist organization, along with the likes of al-Qaeda and Hamas, the UK made membership of, or support for, Palestine Action a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Since then, British police have arrested around 2,700 people who were protesting with signs saying “I support Palestine Action.” About 700 have been arrested for crimes under the Terrorism Act, although no one has been convicted.

It is not clear how many are still facing charges, and how many have been released without charge.

London’s Metropolitan Police said that, given the decision, officers will not arrest people who express support for Palestine Action, but will continue to collect evidence of crimes “to provide opportunities for law enforcement at a later date.”

The international non-governmental organization, Human Rights Watch, says that the law deprives people of their fundamental right to speak, meet and be heard.

“We are writing repression in the name of fighting terrorism all over the world, from Turkey to Egypt to Hungary,” Ahmed said.

“We didn’t expect to see this on the streets of the United Kingdom being done on behalf of the British government.”

It’s not over yet

In their decision, judges Victoria Sharp, Jonathan Swift and Karen Steyn said the terrorism designation was “disproportionate” to the real threat to the organization.

“A very small number of Palestine Action’s actions amount to acts of terrorism,” the judges wrote.

“The nature and extent of Palestine Action’s activities that fall within the definition of terrorism have not reached the level, scale and persistence that warrants a ban.”

The judges gave lawyers for both sides until February 20 to prepare for the next hearing.

While Ahmed celebrated the court victory on Friday, he she said he is still concerned about those who are still facing charges or awaiting trial while the government prepares to appeal the case.

“We have received calls today from several people who have been arrested and others charged with terrorism cases by catching the symptoms, they are very worried and stressed, as you can imagine,” he said.

“We hope that the courts will act quickly.”