More than 130 Important People Write a Letter to Support Palestine Action
More than 130 Important People Write a Letter to Support Palestine Action
Introduction
More than 130 scholars, writers, and activists sent a letter to the UK Court of Appeal. They support the group Palestine Action. The court will soon decide if the government's ban on the group is legal.
Main Body
In July 2025, the UK government said Palestine Action is a terrorist group. This happened after members of the group entered an air force base and caused £7 million in damage. Now, it is illegal to be a member of the group or to support it. People can go to prison for up to 14 years. In February 2025, a High Court said the ban was not legal. But the government did not agree. The government asked a higher court to change the decision. The ban is still in place. The higher court will hear the case on April 28 and 29. The police stopped arresting people after the High Court decision, but then they started again. They arrested more than 500 people at a protest in April. The letter says: 'We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action.' More than 130 people signed it. Some famous signers are writer Sally Rooney, activist Greta Thunberg, musician Brian Eno, and philosopher Judith Butler. Many professors from universities like Oxford and Cambridge also signed. Some signers gave more comments. One professor said the situation is 'absurd and contradictory.' Another person said the government uses the word 'terrorist' in a wrong way. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said she does not agree with the High Court. She thinks the ban is correct. Human rights groups say the government should stop the ban. The signers of the letter could be arrested for supporting a banned group.
Conclusion
The Court of Appeal will decide if the ban on Palestine Action stays. The letter from important people shows a big argument between free speech and anti-terrorism laws in the UK.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
Over 130 Public Figures Submit Letter to UK Court of Appeal Supporting Palestine Action Ahead of Ban Legality Hearing
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
Sentence Learning
Over 130 Public Figures Submit Letter to UK Court of Appeal Supporting Palestine Action Ahead of Ban Legality Hearing
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 lawfulness of the government's ban on the organization.
Main Body
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act, following an incident in which members entered a Royal Air Force base and caused approximately £7 million in damage. This designation rendered membership in or expression of support for the group illegal, with penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment. In February 2025, a High Court panel of three judges ruled the ban unlawful and disproportionate. However, the government appealed that decision, and the proscription remains in effect pending the appeal. The Court of Appeal hearing is scheduled for April 28 and 29. The Metropolitan Police initially announced it would cease arrests following the High Court ruling but subsequently resumed enforcement, arresting over 500 individuals at a protest earlier in April. The letter, consisting 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 institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Yale University, and Columbia University. 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 render 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 demonstrating moral bankruptcy. Penny Green, also of Queen Mary University, stated that peaceful protesters opposing genocide are being branded 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 escalating crackdown on peaceful protests, urging the government to reverse the proscription. The signatories risk arrest under the Terrorism Act for their expression of support for a proscribed 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.