The Metropolitan Police announces it will not arrest individuals ing support for Palestine Action following a significant High Court ruling. Judges determined that the group’s actions constitute terrorism but do not equate to threats on the level of ISIS or Al-Qaeda.
High Court Ruling Blocks Proscription
Palestine Action successfully challenged the Home Office’s move to designate it a terrorist organization amid concerns over its criminal activities. The court deemed the proscription disproportionate, though the ban remains in place pending further legal arguments.
Dame Victoria Sharp, alongside Mr Justice Swift and Mrs Justice Steyn, emphasized the challenge in balancing public safety with proportionality. “Deciding where the balance should be struck in this case is difficult,” she stated. “When striking the balance between issues such as these the court must permit some latitude to the Home Secretary given that she has both political and practical responsibility to secure public safety.”
The judges noted that Palestine Action promotes its cause through criminality. “At its core, Palestine Action is an organisation that promotes its political cause through criminality and encouragement of criminality. A very small number of its actions have amounted to terrorist action,” they ruled.
They rejected claims of non-violence, stating it is not sustainable to view property damage as non-violent, especially when it risks public injury. “Real weight must attach to the fact that Palestine Action has organised and undertaken actions amounting to terrorism,” the judgment added. The group has celebrated such actions and promotes violence via materials like its Underground Manual.
Met Police Adopts Cautious Enforcement Approach
Officers acknowledge public confusion and pause immediate arrests for support ion. “We recognise these are unusual circumstances and there will likely be some confusion among the public as to what happens next,” Metropolitan Police stated.
Instead, they gather evidence for future enforcement. “Officers will continue to identify offences where support for Palestine Action is being ed, but they will focus on gathering evidence of those offences and the people involved to provide opportunities for enforcement at a later date, rather than making arrests at the time.”
This applies only to support ion. Police vow to arrest for intimidation, property damage, violence, racial hatred, or other crimes. The shift could affect over 2,000 prior arrests for signs or messages supporting the group.
Home Secretary Plans Appeal
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood es disappointment and intends to appeal. “The Court has acknowledged that Palestine Action has carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who have taken part in those acts and promoted the use of violence,” she said.
“It has also concluded that Palestine Action is not an ordinary protest or civil disobedience group, and that its actions are not consistent with democratic values and the rule of law. For those reasons, I am disappointed by the Court’s decision and disagree with the notion that banning this terrorist organisation is disproportionate.”
The proscription followed parliamentary endorsement and does not hinder peaceful Palestinian protests, Mahmood noted.
Activists Celebrate Outside Court
About 100 supporters gathered outside the High Court in central London, chanting “Free Palestine” and waving flags. Placards read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Huda Ammori, who led the challenge, called it a victory against overreach. “Palestine Action is the first civil disobedience organisation that does not advocate for violence to be proscribed by the British government as a ‘terrorist’ group,” she stated. She highlighted nearly 3,000 arrests, including priests and doctors, for peaceful signs.
The ban persists until February 20 for written submissions on next steps, with Ammori succeeding on two of four grounds.
