High Court Allows Palestine Action Terror Ban Challenge

The High Court has allowed Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian protest group, to challenge the UK government's decision to ban it as a terrorist organization. The ban was imposed following the group's damaging of military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton and makes it a crime to support or belong to the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Human rights advocates, including the UN, have criticized the proscription as disproportionate and a threat to freedom of expression. The government argues the ban is justified by the group's actions and maintains that national security is at risk. Judge Chamberlain found the challenge 'reasonably arguable,' emphasizing the significant impact on free speech and the arrests made since the order. The judicial review will assess whether the government's use of anti-terrorism laws in this case was lawful and proportionate.