The Court of Appeal has upheld the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, overturning a High Court ruling that the ban breached rights to protest.

Membership in or support for Palestine Action remains a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and expressing support continues to be prosecutable.

Judge Sue Carr acknowledged the ban is controversial but insisted Palestine Action openly promotes violence deemed illegal and akin to terrorism.

Police say mass arrests have occurred at protests since the proscription, with demonstrators commonly displaying supportive signs and apparel.

Officials note thousands of arrests since the proscription and ongoing debates about balancing security with civil liberties.

Some protesters, including Marianne Sorrell, describe the judgment as a travesty of justice and indicate renewed protests or arrests may follow.

Baroness Carr emphasized that Palestine Action is not a typical protest group and has posed real risks to property and public safety.

Charges relate to protests where participants held anti-genocide signs and showed support for Palestine Action, with some activists linked to a drone factory tied to an Israeli arms maker, described as having a ‘terrorist connection’ by a judge.

The ruling fits into broader debates over protest freedoms versus national security, with civil-liberties groups criticizing the crackdown as excessive on peaceful demonstrations.

Reaction to the ruling is mixed: some say it infringes free speech and protest rights, while others argue the protests threaten security and require resource-intensive policing.

The decision reflects enduring tensions between security measures and civil liberties in the UK’s approach to pro-Palestinian activism.

The ban drew international criticism from figures like Ken Loach and Sally Rooney, with the UN calling it disproportionate and activists including Greta Thunberg participating in related protests.