Hamas has criticised a UK Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the government’s ban on the activist organisation Palestine Action, calling the decision politically motivated.
In a statement, the Palestinian group said the ruling was made “under pressure from Zionist groups” and accused authorities of targeting efforts that support Palestinian rights and criticise Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“It aims to persecute and intimidate any action supporting Palestinian rights and condemning the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli military in Gaza,” Hamas said.
The group further described the ban as “a politically motivated decision” and said it was an attempt to silence voices advocating for Palestinian rights.
The Court of Appeal ruled on Monday that the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a “terrorist” organisation was lawful, overturning an earlier ruling by a lower court.
The decision followed an appeal by the government against a February High Court ruling, which had found that the ban imposed under the Terrorism Act 2000 was unlawful and disproportionate.