The Japan Times - UK's highest court to hear Palestine Action's appeal against ban

Huda Ammori has been fighting the group's prohibition by the interior ministry since it was imposed in July 2025 under the UK's Terrorism Act.

That move made membership of, or support for, the pro-Palestinian group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The Supreme Court said in a statement posted on its website that "permission to appeal is granted", with an expedited hearing expected sometime between October to December.

The ban -- which has led to more than 3,500 arrests, according to police and activists -- puts the group on a government blacklist that also includes Palestinian militants Hamas and the Lebanese Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Those detained have included senior citizens and Holocaust survivors

On Thursday, hundreds of people rallied outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, where hearings related to more than 2,000 of those cases had been expected to go ahead.

The hearings were postponed until October, with those charged "not required to attend court", according to a letter distributed outside by the Courts and Tribunals Service.

But London's Metropolitan Police said officers had arrested 117 people during a protest organised by legal rights group, Defend Our Juries.

Most "arrests have been for expressing support for a proscribed organisation", the police said in a post on X.

AFP reporters saw dozens of protestors being carried away by police.

Set up in 2020, Palestine Action's stated goal on its website -- blocked to UK internet users -- is to end "global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime".

It gained visibility after Israel began bombarding Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack by fighters from Palestinian group Hamas in southern Israel.

Palestine Action has mainly targeted weapons factories in the UK, especially those belonging to the Israel-based defence group Elbit.

Since the ban came into force, protesters have held a string of rallies holding up signs saying: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action".

Palestine Action challenged the ban in the UK courts on the basis that it was "disproportionate" and had a "very significant" impact on human rights.

London's High Court agreed with their argument in February, ruling in its favour, but the government then appealed.

Last month, the Appeals Court found in the government's favour, describing Palestine Action as "a covert organisation operating with secret cells".

S.Suzuki--JT