The UK High Court has scheduled an urgent hearing for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestine activist organization, set for Friday, July 4, at 10:30 a.m., to contest its classification as a terrorist group by the Home Secretary. The designation places it on par with groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda under Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000. For more details, visit the original report by JURIST News.
The Home Secretary pushed the proscription order through Parliament as a response to Palestine Action’s disruptive protests, including using spray paint on military aircraft—a direct action that classifies as terrorist activity under Section 1(b) of the Terrorism Act. The organization is seeking interim relief to delay the order’s implementation, potentially preventing a decision until the court issues a ruling.
Legal representatives for Palestine Action argue that the rapid progression of the order could infringe on principles like natural justice, procedural fairness, and the right of access to courts, as mandated by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This stems from concerns that the order might circumvent judicial review before taking effect.
Co-founder of the group, Huda Ammori, raises that this motion is unprecedented in the UK as it equates political protest to terrorism—a strategy used by authoritarian regimes globally. Amnesty International and the European Legal Support Centre are among the prominent groups backing Palestine Action’s challenge. Furthermore, the UN has raised alarms over what it sees as an unjust categorization of a protest movement as a terrorist entity. More information on their stance is available through their official statement.