Lift The Ban, Trafalgar Square, London, 11/04/26

Activists gathered in Trafalgar Square holding placards reading 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' in defiance of the UK government's designation of the group as a terrorist organisation. Hundreds were arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Over 2000 have been arrested since the UK government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025 designating it a terrorist organisation alongside ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Harem and many others. The founders of Palestine sought a judicial review of this decision. In his ruling of whether to grant a judicial review Mr Justice Chamberlain said the ban could have a ‘chilling effect’ on ‘legitimate political speech’  and risked ‘considerable harm to the public interest’.  The second ground on which Chamberlain granted permission for judicial review, in addition to concerns about freedom of speech and protest, was that Cooper had not consulted Palestine Action before proscribing it, finding it reasonably arguable that there was a duty to consult.

The judicial review took place in November 2025 where the proscription order was judged to be unlawful. The Met police then indicated they would not be carrying out further any further arrests for displaying signs in support of the group. The UK government has challenged the judgement and the appeal is due to be heard in late April 2026 and is expected to be a long drawn out process. The Met police have indicated in recent weeks that they will again start arresting people for displaying signs in support of Palestine Action, a move which other forces have followed.