Fri Jul 04 21:50:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article Summary:

**Headline: UK Court Upholds Ban on Pro-Palestinian Activist Group After Air Base Vandalism**

**London, July 5, 2025:** A British court has rejected a legal challenge by Palestine Action, upholding the government’s decision to classify the group as a terrorist organization. The ruling, made on July 4, 2025, means membership or support of Palestine Action will be a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The ban was triggered by an incident last month where activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton, causing approximately 7 million pounds worth of damage to two planes in protest of the UK’s military support for Israel. Four individuals have been charged in connection with the vandalism.

Palestine Action argued the ban was an “authoritarian” abuse of power and sought a temporary block pending a full legal challenge. Their lawyer drew parallels to historical civil disobedience movements in the UK. However, Justice Martin Chamberlain ruled against the group, stating it was not the court’s place to comment on the “wisdom” of using anti-terrorism powers in this case. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the ban, citing the group’s “long history of unacceptable criminal damage.” The decision has sparked debate about the definition of terrorism and its application to direct action protest groups.

Read More