Palestine Action's co-founder asks UK court to overturn terror group ban
A person holds a Palestinian flag outside the High Court on the day of a hearing about the banned pro-Palestinian campaign organisation Palestine Action, in London, Britain, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
LONDON - The co-founder of a pro-Palestinian campaign group sought on Monday to challenge the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, a move her lawyers said had "the hallmarks of an authoritarian and blatant abuse of power".
Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, is asking London's High Court to give the go-ahead for a full challenge to the group's proscription, which was made on the grounds it committed or participated in acts of terrorism.
Earlier this month, the High Court refused Ammori's application to pause the ban and, following an unsuccessful last-ditch appeal, Palestine Action's proscription came into effect just after midnight on July 5.
Proscription makes it a crime to be a member of the group, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Ammori's lawyer Raza Husain said Palestine Action is the first direct action group to be banned as a terror group, a move he argued was inconsistent with "the honourable history of civil disobedience on conscientious grounds in our country".
Dozens have been arrested for holding placards purportedly supporting the group since the ban and Ammori's lawyers say protesters expressing support for the Palestinian cause have also been subject to increased scrutiny from police officers.
Britain's interior minister Yvette Cooper, however, has said violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest and that Palestine Action's activities – including breaking into a military base and damaging two planes – justify proscription.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus
Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH
Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF
Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region
Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026
Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS
Singapore AI-powered app accurately identifies pre-dementia seniors, to be available in 2026
Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip
Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain, often spraying red paint, blocking entrances or damaging equipment.
The group accuses the British government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in its ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Lions change three starters for second test, Owen Farrell on the bench
MELBOURNE - British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has made three changes to the starting team that beat Australia in the first test and brought his son Owen in on the bench as the tourists look to sew up the series in Melbourne on Saturday. Irish lock Joe McCarthy injured his foot in the 27-19 victory in Brisbane last week and is replaced by England's Ollie Chessum in the second row, while Andrew Porter comes in for Ellis Genge at loosehead prop. Farrell has opted for Bundee Aki in the centres with Huw Jones after Australia-born Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out with a tight hamstring, depriving him of the chance of playing in his hometown. Playmaker Owen Farrell, who was called up as an injury replacement early in the tour, gets a chance to play his seventh Lions test from the bench. Flanker Jac Morgan is another change to the bench, ensuring a Welsh presence in the side after the principality was without representation in a test team for the first time since the late 19th century in Brisbane. Scottish fullback Blair Kinghorn was also named among the replacements for the Melbourne Cricket Ground clash after missing the first test because of a knee injury. Genge drops to the bench, where James Ryan comes in for Chessum to make a total of 11 Ireland players in the 23-man squad. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Asia Live: Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years at S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Astronomer executives' Coldplay scandal: Why it went viral and the obsession with public shaming World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports "We have put ourselves in a good position after the First test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team," said Farrell, who has taken a sabbatical from his job as Ireland coach to lead the Lions. "Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week." The third and final test takes place at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Aug. 2. Team: 15–Hugo Keenan, 14–Tommy Freeman, 13–Huw Jones, 12–Bundee Aki, 11–James Lowe, 10–Finn Russell, 9–Jamison Gibson-Park, 8–Jack Conan, 7–Tom Curry, 6–Tadhg Beirne, 5–Ollie Chessum, 4–Maro Itoje, 3–Tadhg Furlong, 2–Dan Sheehan, 1–Andrew Porter Replacements: 16–Ronan Kelleher, 17–Ellis Genge, 18–Will Stuart, 19–James Ryan, 20–Jac Morgan, 21–Alex Mitchell, 22–Owen Farrell, 23–Blair Kinghorn REUTERS
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
North Korea's Kim urges troops to prepare ‘for real war'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the soldiers to be ready 'for real war' at 'anytime'. SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged his military to be ready 'for real war' as he observed a firing contest of artillery units, Pyongyang state media said on July 24. Mr Kim's remarks follow the North's deployment of troops and weapons to help Russia during its more than three-year long offensive in Ukraine. Video footage aired by state-run Korea Central Television on July 24 showed soldiers from artillery units firing shells towards the sea. Mr Kim is seen looking through binoculars at an observation post, flanked by two military officials, but the location for July 23's contest was not disclosed. He urged the soldiers to be ready 'for real war' at 'anytime' and be capable of 'destroying the enemy in every battle', the Korean Central News Agency reported in an English dispatch. South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have reported Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region in 2024, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, Seoul has said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Astronomer executives' Coldplay scandal: Why it went viral and the obsession with public shaming World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Mr Kim offered Moscow his full support for its war in Ukraine during recent talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, state media reported previously. The two heavily sanctioned nations signed a military deal in 2024, including a mutual defence clause, during a rare visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang. AFP
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
NZ government sporting body drops transgender directive
Find out what's new on ST website and app. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has said that the "woke" transgender guidelines have been scrapped. WELLINGTON – A top New Zealand minister on Thursday declared 'biological males have no place in women's sports', as the government moved to scrap guidelines for transgender athletes in local competitions. Sports around the world are wrestling with how to govern transgender participation, with the US Olympic Committee and English Football Association among those to recently restrict trans athletes from women's sport. Government agency Sport NZ in 2022 developed 'guiding principles for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport'. But senior government minister Winston Peters – New Zealand's top diplomat – said on Thursday the 'woke' guidelines had been scrapped. 'The state has no place in people's bedrooms – and biological males have no place in women's sports,' Peters said in a statement. 'This is purely about ensuring there is safety and security for girls and women in the sports they play at every level.' New Zealand has for years been seen as a world leader in allowing transgender participation in sport. Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard in 2021 at Tokyo became the first openly transgender woman to compete at the Olympics, entering the over-87 kilogramme women's category. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years at S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Astronomer executives' Coldplay scandal: Why it went viral and the obsession with public shaming World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports The now-dropped guiding principles included wellbeing and safety, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying. They gave advice on providing private spaces in bathrooms and using gender-inclusive language. 'Transgender people can take part in sports in the gender they identify with,' the guidelines read, according to national broadcaster Radio New Zealand. Sports organisations were not bound by the guidelines. Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle said the guidelines were dropped at the request of the government. 'The government has directed Sport NZ to stop all work on the Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport and remove them from our website,' Castle said. 'As a result of this decision, the guiding principles will no longer be available and the document has been removed from the Sport NZ website. 'Sporting organisations will continue to make their own decisions on the participation of transgender people in community sport and there are a range of expert organisations that can provide support.' In a statement, the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa said it was 'deeply disappointed' by the change. The decision would worsen an 'unwelcoming and isolating culture for trans and non-binary people in sport', it said. Benjamin Doyle, a member of the opposition Green Party, said the government was 'failing transgender people'. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe in sport,' Doyle said. 'These guidelines were just that – guidelines that could keep our communities safe, which no one was bound to adhere to, and now they've been scrapped.' AFP
