In a landmark legal blow to the Home Office, the British High Court ruled today, February 13, 2026, that the government acted illegally by designating the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The ruling marks a pivotal moment for civil liberties in the UK, as it challenges the state’s power to use anti-terror laws against domestic protest groups.
Why the Ban Was Ruled Unlawful
The three-judge panel found that the Home Secretary’s decision was fundamentally flawed for three main reasons:
- Misuse of “Terrorist” Labels: The court ruled that while members of the group had committed acts of criminal damage, these did not meet the legal threshold of “terrorism.” The judges described the ban as “disproportionate.”
- Civil Rights Breach: The ruling stated the ban directly violated Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights—specifically the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
- Procedural Errors: The Home Office was found to have ignored its own internal policy guidelines when fast-tracking the proscription last July.
The Current Situation
| Category | Status |
| Legal Status | The ban is technically quashed, but remains active pending an immediate appeal by the government. |
| Pending Arrests | Over 2,000 individuals have been charged or arrested since July 2025. Their legal status is now in limbo. |
| Next Legal Step | Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has confirmed the government will take the case to the Court of Appeal. |
“A Monumental Victory”
Proponents of the ruling argue it prevents a “dangerous precedent” where direct-action protest is equated with global terrorism. Huda Ammori, the group’s co-founder, hailed the decision as a victory for both the Palestinian cause and British democratic freedoms.
