Dozens arrested outside London Supreme Court as Palestine Action ban appeal proceeds

Arrests outside the Supreme Court

On Wednesday 4 November, police arrested dozens of activists, including Jewish supporters and celebrities, outside the Supreme Court in London. The arrests occurred during the first day of a two‑day hearing that challenges the UK government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The event drew a crowd of supporters who gathered to watch the proceedings.

The arrests were part of a broader pattern of enforcement linked to the ban. Since the government imposed the prohibition in July last year, authorities have arrested at least 4,000 people on charges connected to the group.

Background

Palestine Action is a direct‑action group that campaigns for Palestinian rights. Its co‑founder, Huda Ammori, has taken the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that the ban is disproportionate and criminalises legitimate protest. Ammori has cited evidence from United Nations experts, Amnesty International, Liberty and even the former director of MI6 to support her claim that the group has never advocated violence against individuals.

During the hearing, Raza Husain KC, representing Ammori, opened proceedings and noted that less than one percent of the group’s protests meet the legal definition of terrorism. He compared the group’s tactics to those used by the Suffragettes, anti‑war movements, environmental and animal‑rights campaigns, all of which employed more extreme measures yet were not classified as terrorist organisations.

The Supreme Court hearing follows the government’s decision to outlaw Palestine Action under terrorism legislation. The ban was announced in July 2025 and has sparked controversy over its impact on freedom of speech and protest in the UK.

Why it matters

The ban has had a significant effect on civil liberties. Ammori’s legal team argues that the prohibition creates a “chilling effect” on British society, turning legitimate protest into a terrorism offence for the first time in British history. The government’s own assessments, according to Ammori, acknowledge that Palestine Action has never promoted violence against any person.

The arrests outside the court highlight the tension between national security concerns and the right to protest. The case has attracted attention from a range of organisations, including UN experts, Amnesty International and Liberty, all of which have expressed concerns about the ban’s proportionality.

What happens next

The Supreme Court will continue its two‑day hearing, with the next session scheduled for Thursday. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the ban remains in force or is overturned. No further dates or decisions have been announced beyond the scheduled hearing.

The case remains a focal point for debate over the balance between security measures and civil liberties in the UK, with both supporters and opponents of the ban closely monitoring the court’s deliberations.