London
–
The founders of the pro-Palestinian activist group have earned the right to challenge the UK government’s decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws.
London High Court Judge Martin Chamberlain said Palestinian Action co-founder Huda ammori granted permission to seek judicial review on Wednesday, saying it was “reasonably controversial,” and that the ban disproportionately obstructed the group’s rights to freedom of expression, assembly and associations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The UK-based group, which aims to disrupt the operations of arms manufacturers that supply the Israeli government, was banned earlier this month after two Palestinian activists invaded the largest air force base in central England and damaged two military aircraft in June.
The group’s prohibition is illegal under British law, and is either a member of Palestinian actions or invites support, making it equivalent to terrorist organizations such as Hamas, al-Qaeda and ISIS.
The move has been criticized by several human rights groups, including UN Human Rights Chief Vol Cartark, who said on Friday that it raised concerns that UK terrorism law “is applied to conduct that is essentially not terrorists but risks preventing the legal exercise of basic freedoms.”
Earlier this month, the High Court rejected ammori’s application to suspend the ban.
On Wednesday, Judge Chamberlain said that British Secretary of the Interior Yvette Cooper, who filed the ban, may have consulted Palestinian actions before the ban.
The judicial review may take place in September.
CNN reached out to the Home Office for comment.
The news comes as more than 200 people have been arrested in support of the group since July 5, according to the defense of the UK-based nonprofit Ju Court. Many have been arrested on suspicion of terrorist crimes because they displayed posters in support of the group or Palestinian cause.
Demonstrations of Palestinian action took place across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Truro.
