UK judge: Palestine Action terror label disproportionate (Full Transcript)
[00:00:00] Speaker 1: The U.K.'s chief justice today ruled that the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization has been disproportionate, although the ban does still stand pending the appeals process. This is an organization that, for the last few years, has been targeting arms manufacturers that are supplying Israel. And the U.K. government has said that this has caused millions of dollars in criminal damage and that this is a case of national security. But there's a huge amount of joy and jubilation here today. People have been waiting for this verdict for months, saying that this is a case of government overreach and that they have the right to protest and they have the right to express themselves. For the last few months, anyone connected to this organization could stand terrorism charges. So, that puts them in the same category as groups like ISIS, like al-Qaida, like Hamas. And that means anyone showing support for this group, including people who have shown up here today holding these signs saying, I support Palestine Action, could stand terrorism charges. And, in fact, over 2,700 people over the last few months have been arrested in connection to this group. So, this is a huge win today for Palestine Action, as well as for protesters' rights in general here in the U.K.
- A U.K. court found the terror designation of Palestine Action disproportionate, but the ban continues pending appeal.
- The government justified the designation on grounds of criminal damage and national security related to attacks on arms manufacturers supplying Israel.
- Supporters argue the designation amounted to government overreach and chilled lawful protest and expression.
- The designation placed Palestine Action alongside proscribed groups like ISIS and al‑Qaida, exposing supporters to potential terrorism charges.
- Over 2,700 arrests were reported in connection with the group over recent months, making the ruling significant for civil liberties debates.