The UK government’s ban on Palestine Action has been ruled “unlawful” by the High Court.
Three judges ruled against the Home Office on 13 February, but the ban will remain until a future hearing.
Palestine Action was proscribed a terror group by the UK government last July following protests organised by the network against the ongoing Gaza genocide.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government plans to appeal the High Court’s decision.
Police have arrested at least 2,787 people across the UK since July 2025 for holding signs displaying statements such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, according to the civil liberties organisation Defend Our Juries.
Sarah*, a 24-year-old, her boyfriend and his mum were arrested in Hyde Park where officers incorrectly believed a Stand up to Racism protest was due to take place.
She said they were detained and taken into police custody under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 and after 10 hours in a police custody cell, the group were released under investigation after being on bail and banned from the borough of Westminster for three months.
Sarah was wearing a free Palestine badge, and the group were talking about Reform UK and former English Defence Leage (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson when officers approached them and asked them to leave.
She said an officer told her prior to her arrest that the reason they believe she has the intention to protest is because of the badge, but her boyfriend and his mum were not wearing one and they were also arrested.
Sarah said: “I’ve never broken the law and I’ve never been arrested. With my choice of career, I thought it would ruin everything.
“They wanted to make an example out of us for an easy life by trying to deter people from expressing support for Palestine, but it’s not going to happen.”
*Not her real name
Featured image credit: Caoimhe O’Loingsigh 2026
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