UK Police Arrest 25 Palestine Action Supporters Outside Supreme Court Ahead of Terror Ban Hearing

British police have arrested 25 protesters outside the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court in London as judges began hearing a legal challenge against the government’s decision to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the demonstrators were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of expressing support for a prohibited organisation.

The arrests coincided with the start of a two-day Supreme Court hearing brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, who is challenging the government’s decision to classify the group as a terrorist organisation.

The hearing, scheduled to run from Wednesday to Thursday, will examine whether the government acted lawfully when it proscribed the organisation under the Terrorism Act.

Ammori is seeking to overturn the ban, arguing that the Home Office failed to properly apply its own criteria when deciding to outlaw the group.

Her legal team maintains that only three out of 385 actions attributed to Palestine Action over a five-year period met the legal definition of terrorism.

However, the government is opposing the appeal, arguing that the group’s activities, including serious damage to property, provided sufficient grounds for its proscription.

Palestine Action was formally banned in July 2025. Under the legislation, membership of the organisation or publicly expressing support for it became a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Founded in 2020, the group says its activities are aimed at disrupting companies it believes supply weapons or provide other forms of support to Israel.

Its operations have included targeting facilities linked to Israeli defence manufacturer Elbit Systems and damaging military aircraft at a Royal Air Force base.

The legal battle has passed through several stages of the British court system. In February 2026, the High Court ruled that the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action was disproportionate and unlawfully restricted freedom of expression and assembly.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June, ruling that the ban was lawful. Ammori subsequently secured permission to challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court.

The latest arrests come amid continued demonstrations across the UK against the proscription. Police previously reported that more than 300 people were arrested during a protest outside the United States Embassy in London on Saturday.

The Supreme Court is expected to reserve its judgment after hearing arguments from both sides. Its decision will determine whether the government’s proscription of Palestine Action can remain in force.