Judicial review of ban on Palestine Action set to take place as PSNI mull evidence gathered at protest
A judicial review is expected to begin on Wednesday of the government’s ban on Palestine Action, as the PSNI consider the evidence they have gathered against protestors in Northern Ireland.
Three days of hearings are set to be held at the High Court in London which could see the group removed from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations, upon which it was placed in July this year.
It follows two protests held on Saturday in Northern Ireland – one in Belfast, and the other in Londonderry.
Protestors held up signs which said: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Expressing support for proscribed groups is banned under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
The PSNI made no arrests over the signs, in contrast to London, where a similar protest on the same day led to at least 90 arrests.
Instead the PSNI said its officers were on an “evidence-gathering operation".
Defend Our Juries, the group which organised the protests, said in a statement today: “Since the proscription the PSNI have made three arrests, sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service, and sent 13 letters informing people of open terrorism investigations against them for allegedly showing support for Palestine Action.
"At the same time they have taken no action against open displays of support for paramilitary groups that have killed hundreds of people.”
A protest is expected to take place at the High Court in London on Wednesday, followed by other Palestine Action solidarity protests around the UK on Saturday (though none are listed, at time of writing, for Northern Ireland).
Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland have questioned the disparity between how the police in Great Britain have dealt with protestors, and how the PSNI have dealt with them.
Meanwhile a trial is currently under way of six activists connected to Palestine Action in Woolwich Crown Court.
They are charged with criminal damage and violent disorder in a raid on Israeli-owned arms firm Elbit Systems in Bristol on August 6 last year.
One of them is also charged with GBH over allegedly hitting a policewoman with a sledgehammer during the attack.
They all deny the charges, and the trial continues.