Prominent Academics and Global Activists Risk Arrest to Support Banned Palestine Action Group Ahead of London Appeal

Greta Thunberg, Sally Rooney, and over 130 scholars defy the Terrorism Act in support of Palestine Action ahead of a major London Court of Appeal hearing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 5:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Calculated Defiance of the Terrorism Act

A coalition of more than 130 leading scholars, artists, and public figures has launched a direct legal challenge against the UK government by publicly declaring their support for Palestine Action. The signatories, which include high-profile names such as musician Brian Eno and various professors from Oxford and Cambridge, issued a seven-word open letter stating, "We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action." By using this specific phrasing, the group is intentionally risking prosecution under the Terrorism Act, which prohibits expressing support for a proscribed organization. This collective action is timed to precede a landmark hearing at the Court of Appeal scheduled for next week.

The Legal Battle Over Group Proscription

Palestine Action was officially banned as a terrorist organization in July 2025 following an incident where members entered a Royal Air Force base and caused an estimated £7 million in damages to military aircraft. While the Metropolitan Police continue to treat the group as a proscribed entity, the High Court recently issued a ruling declaring the proscription unlawful. Despite this judicial intervention, the Metropolitan Police have resumed arrests of supporters, leading to a state of legal uncertainty that the Court of Appeal is expected to address. The upcoming hearing will determine the final legality of the ban and the subsequent police crackdown on related protests.

Academic Arguments Against Terror Branding

Legal experts among the signatories have voiced sharp criticism of the current administration’s use of anti-terror legislation against political activists. Penny Green, a professor of law and globalization at Queen Mary University of London, described the branding of peaceful protesters as terrorists as "indefensible." Supporters argue that the group’s direct actions against defense contractors are a legitimate form of protest against complicity in international conflicts. According to Defend Our Juries, the scholars involved have chosen to put their liberty and professional reputations on the line to highlight what they describe as a moral obligation to prevent state-sponsored violence.