Over 130 Public Figures Submit Letter to UK Court of Appeal Supporting Palestine Action Ahead of Ban Legality Hearing

Apr 24, 2026, 16:39

Introduction

More than 130 prominent scholars, writers, and activists have submitted a letter to the UK Court of Appeal expressing support for the direct action group Palestine Action, days before a scheduled hearing to determine the legality of the government's ban on the organization.

Main Body

Palestine Action was banned as a terrorist organization in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act, after members entered a Royal Air Force base and caused about £7 million in damage. This ban made it illegal to be a member or show support, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. In February 2025, a High Court panel of three judges ruled the ban was unlawful and disproportionate. However, the government appealed that decision, and the ban remains in effect while the appeal is pending. The Court of Appeal hearing is scheduled for April 28 and 29. The Metropolitan Police initially said it would stop arrests after the High Court ruling, but later resumed enforcement, arresting over 500 people at a protest earlier in April. The letter, which consists of the sentence 'We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action,' was signed by over 130 individuals including author Sally Rooney, activist Greta Thunberg, musician Brian Eno, philosopher Judith Butler, and academics from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, and Columbia. The letter was published on the website of Defend Our Juries, a civil liberties organization. Several signatories provided statements. Peter Hallward, a professor at Kingston University, described the situation as 'absurd and contradictory' and suggested that widespread defiance could make the law unenforceable. Charles Secrett, former leader of Friends of the Earth, compared the government's use of the term 'terrorist' to Orwellian language abuse. Neve Gordon, an international law professor at Queen Mary University of London, accused the government of silencing messengers and showing moral bankruptcy. Penny Green, also of Queen Mary University, stated that peaceful protesters opposing genocide are being labeled terrorists while the government avoids accountability. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disagreement with the High Court ruling, asserting that the ban was not disproportionate. Human rights organizations and UN experts have criticized the increasing crackdown on peaceful protests, urging the government to reverse the ban. The signatories risk arrest under the Terrorism Act for expressing support for a banned organization.

Conclusion

The upcoming Court of Appeal hearing will determine whether the ban on Palestine Action is upheld. The letter from prominent figures highlights ongoing tensions between freedom of expression and anti-terrorism legislation in the UK.

Vocabulary Learning

accountability (n.)
the fact of being responsible for one's actions問責；責任
Example:The government avoids accountability for its actions.
defiance (n.)
open resistance or bold disobedience反抗；挑釁
Example:Widespread defiance could make the law unenforceable.
disproportionate (adj.)
too large or too small in comparison to something else不成比例的；過度的
Example:The High Court ruled the ban was disproportionate.
legality (n.)
the state of being lawful合法性
Example:The hearing will determine the legality of the ban.
prominent (adj.)
well-known and important著名的；重要的
Example:More than 130 prominent scholars signed the letter.

Sentence Learning

Palestine Action was banned as a terrorist organization in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act, after members entered a Royal Air Force base and caused about £7 million in damage.
Passive Voice + Time clause with 'after': This sentence uses the passive voice ('was banned') to emphasize the action (banning) rather than the actor. The time clause 'after members entered...' provides context for the ban. This structure is common in formal reporting to focus on events.被動語態 + 時間從句 with 'after': 此句使用被動語態（'was banned'）以強調行動（禁止）而非行動者。時間從句 'after members entered...' 提供禁令的背景。此結構常見於正式報導，以聚焦事件。
The letter, which consists of the sentence 'We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action,' was signed by over 130 individuals including author Sally Rooney, activist Greta Thunberg, musician Brian Eno, philosopher Judith Butler, and academics from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, and Columbia.
Relative clause (which) + Passive voice (was signed): The relative clause 'which consists of...' adds extra information about the letter without starting a new sentence. The passive voice 'was signed' shifts focus to the letter and the signatories. This combination allows for concise, detailed description.關係從句 (which) + 被動語態 (was signed): 關係從句 'which consists of...' 在不另起新句的情況下補充信件資訊。被動語態 'was signed' 將焦點轉向信件及簽署人。此組合能簡潔而詳細地描述。
However, the government appealed that decision, and the ban remains in effect while the appeal is pending.
Contrast linking word 'However' + Time conjunction 'while': The linking word 'However' signals a contrast between the High Court ruling and the government's action. 'While' introduces a simultaneous condition (the appeal is pending). These connectors help organize contrasting and simultaneous ideas clearly.對比連接詞 'However' + 時間連詞 'while': 連接詞 'However' 標示高等法院裁決與政府行動之間的對比。'While' 引入同時發生的條件（上訴待決）。這些連接詞有助清晰組織對比及同時發生的意念。
Peter Hallward, a professor at Kingston University, described the situation as 'absurd and contradictory' and suggested that widespread defiance could make the law unenforceable.
Appositive noun phrase + That-clause for reported speech: The appositive 'a professor at Kingston University' identifies Peter Hallward's role. The 'that' clause reports his suggestion. This structure is useful for introducing a person and then presenting their opinion in a single sentence.同位語名詞短語 + That-從句用於轉述: 同位語 'a professor at Kingston University' 說明 Peter Hallward 的身份。'that' 從句報告他的建議。此結構有助於在一個句子中介紹人物並呈現其意見。
The signatories risk arrest under the Terrorism Act for expressing support for a banned organization.
Preposition 'for' + gerund phrase to indicate reason: The phrase 'for expressing support' uses a gerund after the preposition 'for' to explain the reason for risking arrest. This is a common way to express purpose or cause in English.介詞 'for' + 動名詞短語表示原因: 短語 'for expressing support' 在介詞 'for' 後使用動名詞，解釋冒著被捕風險的原因。這是英語中表達目的或原因的常見方式。