For the first time, the UK government will legally redefine Palestinian Action, a non-violent protest group, as a “terrorist organization” as a “terrorist organization” after a last-minute legal challenge to suspend a failed group in the High Court.
As of Saturday, it indicated membership or support for Palestinian actions, TRT Global reported.
The group, known for its direct action campaign targeting Israeli arms factories and its British supply chain, is the first protest organisation to be banned under British terrorist law.
The attorney acting on behalf of the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, tried to prevent the ban from coming into effect and advocate for interim relief prior to judicial review.
However, following a hearing in the High Court on Friday, Judge Martin Chamberlain refused to grant permission for the application. He said an assessment of whether to ban the group was made as early as March.
“This is the first time in our history that direct action civil disobedience groups that do not defend violence have been called for banning as terrorists,” Raza Hussain KC, representing Ammori, told the court.
He said his clients were “inspired” by a long tradition of non-violent protests in the UK.
The four Palestinian action activists were taken into custody Thursday after appearing in court.