GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, June 13 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Activists in Scotland are mounting a significant legal challenge against the classification of Palestine Action supporters under terrorism legislation. The campaign follows the arrests of individuals for displaying placards and wearing clothing that express solidarity with the group, which remains proscribed by the British government.
Cathy Allen, a 70-year-old protester, was taken into custody in Edinburgh after holding a sign that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Her arrest marks a flashpoint in a broader civil disobedience campaign led by Defend Our Juries, which argues that the state is overstepping its authority by criminalizing peaceful dissent.
“If our government is attempting to take away our right to protest genocide, that seems to me an obvious step too far. It’s really important to take a stand,” Allen told Repoters.
Rising terrorism charges for activists
Figures released by the investigative outlet The Detail reveal that 103 reports of terrorism charges are now associated with Palestine Action within Scotland. This total accounts for more than half of all 193 terrorism charges lodged in the country since the Terrorism Act was implemented in 2000.
While the outcome of these individual cases remains pending, Catherine Smith KC, the advocate general for Scotland, confirmed there are 54 active prosecutions linked to the group. According to Defend Our Juries, these charges include 24 individuals prosecuted for holding protest signs and 16 others arrested for wearing T-shirts that stated, “Genocide in Palestine. Time to take Action.”
Across the United Kingdom, more than 3,300 arrests have occurred since the July 2025 ban on Palestine Action. Rights groups and legal experts have increasingly characterized the enforcement of these laws as an illiberal overreach, noting that more than 1,200 people face terror-related charges for opposing the group’s proscription.
Chilling effects on civic participation
The legal uncertainty surrounding these charges has created a climate of anxiety for those within the Scottish Palestine solidarity movement. Protesters report that facing potential terrorism charges creates immediate, tangible barriers, including difficulties with international travel and severe challenges in securing employment within regulated industries such as education and medicine.
Mick Napier, a spokesperson for the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, highlighted the ongoing impact of these legal hurdles. Despite the personal risks, activists continue to target sites linked to Israel’s military, including facilities belonging to Elbit Systems and Leonardo in Edinburgh. Data from the Campaign Against Arms Trade indicates that the Leonardo site produces laser targeting systems for F-35 aircraft used by the Israeli military.
Court proceedings
The legal landscape remains complex as the UK government prepares for a Court of Appeal decision regarding the status of Palestine Action. While the High Court previously ruled the proscription “unlawful” in February, the government is currently contesting that decision. Proceedings in Scotland, which were initially scheduled for a hearing in March, were paused in May to await the outcome of the London-based appeal.
Despite the legislative and judicial hurdles, activists maintain that their efforts to draw attention to the conflict in Gaza are essential. While the Scottish government has formally recognized the existence of a genocide and voted to boycott Israel, campaigners maintain that more concrete action is required to protect the right to peaceful protest within Scotland.
