Palestine Action's UK high court challenge can go ahead, judge rules

People take part in a protest in support of Palestine Action, organised by the Defend Our Juries group, in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square (PA)

Palestine Action’s co-founder has won a bid to bring a UK high court challenge over the group’s ban as a terror organisation.

Huda Ammori made a bid to challenge British home secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws, announced after the group claimed responsibility for action in which two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton on June 20.

The ban means that membership of, or support for, the direct action group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Earlier this month, lawyers for Ms Ammori asked a judge to allow her to bring the High Court challenge over the ban, describing it as an “unlawful interference” with freedom of expression.

And in a decision on Wednesday, judge Mr Justice Chamberlain said that two parts of the arguments on Ms Ammori’s behalf were “reasonably arguable”.

Raza Husain KC, for Ms Ammori, previously told the court at the hearing on July 21 that the ban had made the UK “an international outlier” and was “repugnant”.

Mr Husain added: “The decision to proscribe Palestine Action had the hallmarks of an authoritarian and blatant abuse of power.”

The Home Office is defending the legal action.

James Eadie KC, for the department, said in written submissions that by causing serious damage to property, Palestine Action was “squarely” within part of the terrorism laws used in proscription.

He said: “There is no credible basis on which it can be asserted that the purpose of this activity is not designed to influence the Government, or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, and for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.”

Ms Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, saying that the vandalism of the two planes, which police said caused an estimated £7m (€8.1m)) of damage, was “disgraceful”.