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Conflict in the Middle East

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule

342 replies

purpletablet · 13/02/2026 13:29

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/13/uk-ban-palestine-action-unlawful-high-court-judges-rule

Does this mean people will no longer be arrested for holding up a sign saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”?

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule

Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/13/uk-ban-palestine-action-unlawful-high-court-judges-rule

OP posts:
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Dagda · 16/02/2026 11:37

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 11:31

Yes, apparently we have to tolerate a certain level of terrorism in order that people can wave placards supporting that terrorism.

Nope that wasn’t in the judgment at all.

Well I’m out. I’ve done my best there I think.

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 11:45

Dagda · 16/02/2026 11:37

Nope that wasn’t in the judgment at all.

Well I’m out. I’ve done my best there I think.

What right to protest do you think was at risk from the judgement?

The people being arrested as a result of the judgement were holding banners supporting the group that committed terrorist acts. What other right to protest was curtailed?

Dagda · 16/02/2026 12:14

if you go back through the posts, posters have explained a few times about this.

The right to peaceful assembly is always part of the consideration when proscribing groups, not just in this case, in every single case.

It seems to be confusing you that the judgement said that some of their activities could meet the definition of terrorism. This is because those activities in the Act are very broad so it’s not the only test for proscription.

In addition, nobody in Palestine action has actually been charged with terrorism offences.

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 12:16

Are you suggesting that because of the proscription of Palestine Action, people no longer had the right to peaceful assembly?

Stirabout · 16/02/2026 12:19

Dagda · 16/02/2026 12:14

if you go back through the posts, posters have explained a few times about this.

The right to peaceful assembly is always part of the consideration when proscribing groups, not just in this case, in every single case.

It seems to be confusing you that the judgement said that some of their activities could meet the definition of terrorism. This is because those activities in the Act are very broad so it’s not the only test for proscription.

In addition, nobody in Palestine action has actually been charged with terrorism offences.

agree
and It seems some people just haven’t read the actual ruling
It’s online for all to see

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Dagda · 16/02/2026 12:31

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 12:16

Are you suggesting that because of the proscription of Palestine Action, people no longer had the right to peaceful assembly?

I don’t know what else to say; I’m not “suggesting” anything. I am telling you a fact

When any group is proscribed as a terrorist group it always restricts peaceful assembly. That’s why it is a big important decision. It’s an exceptionally powerful thing to do. So it needs to be done according to the governments own policies.

Maybe you fundamentally disagree with the terrorism laws here. You might want to look at Egypt, the UAE or Russia for the kind of terrorism laws you would be more in agreement with.

Stirabout · 16/02/2026 12:46

Dagda · 16/02/2026 12:31

I don’t know what else to say; I’m not “suggesting” anything. I am telling you a fact

When any group is proscribed as a terrorist group it always restricts peaceful assembly. That’s why it is a big important decision. It’s an exceptionally powerful thing to do. So it needs to be done according to the governments own policies.

Maybe you fundamentally disagree with the terrorism laws here. You might want to look at Egypt, the UAE or Russia for the kind of terrorism laws you would be more in agreement with.

To add
Heres a piece from Amnesty on Russias terrorism laws
Akin to the vague definitions some posters would prefer here

’ 19 February 2024

Russia: Surge in abuse of anti-terrorism laws to suppress dissent

A disturbing escalation in the abuse of vague anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation in Russia has intensified since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,

Amnesty International said today.
The briefing “Terrorising the dissent” documents how Russia’s authorities have increasingly targeted dissenters and peaceful protesters under the guise of “national security.”
“What we are witnessing in Russia today is not just a misuse of law.

The authorities have instrumentalized anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation as tools to stifle dissent and control public discourse in ways that are alarming and heartbreaking.

These laws, vague in their wording and arbitrary in their application, are used to silence voices of opposition and instill fear among those who dare to speak out,” said Oleg Kozlovsky, Amnesty International’s Russia Researcher.

A slippery slope. If you don’t agree with us we’ll call you terrorists.

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 12:48

When any group is proscribed as a terrorist group it always restricts peaceful assembly.

It restricts supporting the proscribed group. Can you give any examples of rights to protest that have been curtailed as a result of the proscription other than supporting the group that has engaged in terrorist activities? We all agree that you were already not allowed to bludgeon women with sledgehammers or attack military aircraft.

In addition, nobody in Palestine action has actually been charged with terrorism offences.

That didn't seem to trouble the judge who agreed that Palestine Action were engaged in acts of terrorism.

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 12:50

If you don’t agree with us we’ll call you terrorists.

And you said you'd read the judgement. Extraordinary that you could make that claim if you have actually read it.

Stirabout · 16/02/2026 12:57

noblegiraffe · 16/02/2026 12:50

If you don’t agree with us we’ll call you terrorists.

And you said you'd read the judgement. Extraordinary that you could make that claim if you have actually read it.

its quite obvious you have copied that from my post on Russia!!

Why oh why would you think that has anything to do with the U.K. judgement
dearie me

Stirabout · 16/02/2026 16:36

Update on court cases

Over 30 cases involving defendants charged with supporting Palestine Action (under the Terrorism Act 2000) have been adjourned until April 27th 2026, pending the outcome of an appeal.

As of mid-February 2026, several Palestine Action activists who were previously held in UK prisons without bail or on long-term remand have begun to be released on bail, following a significant High Court ruling on February 13, 2026, which deemed the government's ban on the group unlawful.
.
Palestine Action activists and bail:

The HC ruling has also changed the legal landscape for detained members.

Following the ruling and recent legal challenges, some activists who had been on remand for up to 18 months have been released on bail ahead of their cases.

Before the February 2026 ruling, numerous activists were held on remand for extended periods—exceeding the standard six-month pre-trial limit !!! - leading to protests and hunger strikes.

noblegiraffe · 17/02/2026 10:37

Stirabout · 16/02/2026 12:57

its quite obvious you have copied that from my post on Russia!!

Why oh why would you think that has anything to do with the U.K. judgement
dearie me

Well, you posted it on a thread about the UK judgement. Are you saying that you posted an entirely irrelevant post about Russia? Why did you do that?

What 'slippery slope' were you talking about if not trying to imply that the UK government proscribing a terrorist organisation for committing acts of terrorism (which is the subject of this thread) was a 'slippery slope' to banning groups that disagree with them?

Mercurial123 · 20/02/2026 13:56

Interesting ...

www.declassifieduk.org/how-palestine-action-put-the-justice-system-on-trial/

Stirabout · 20/02/2026 14:53

noblegiraffe · 17/02/2026 10:37

Well, you posted it on a thread about the UK judgement. Are you saying that you posted an entirely irrelevant post about Russia? Why did you do that?

What 'slippery slope' were you talking about if not trying to imply that the UK government proscribing a terrorist organisation for committing acts of terrorism (which is the subject of this thread) was a 'slippery slope' to banning groups that disagree with them?

No
I tagged @Dagda s comment referring to Russia who equally was tagging your comment about terrorism laws referencing maybe you’d rather more lax proscription laws like eg Russias
Entirely relevant if you RTT

Stirabout · 20/02/2026 14:56

Mercurial123 · 20/02/2026 13:56

Wow
Thanks
Interesting how suddenly the law has changed there.

ReturnOfTheToad · 20/02/2026 21:48

Mercurial123 · 20/02/2026 13:56

That's a really informative read, thanks for posting.

Islandsofsand · 22/02/2026 03:09

Dagda · 16/02/2026 00:02

The ruling made it clear that criminal law was appropriate for these acts. The ruling isn’t condoning any illegal activity .

I get that you don’t mind if a group is unlawfully proscribed as terrorist when you disagree with the group.

A few of us are just pointing out that there is a risk to that stance.

@Dagda
Thank you for patiently explaining the implications of the ruling.

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