Are Palestine Action Activists in Prison in 2026?
Last reviewed: June 2026
How did we get here?
Palestine Action is a direct-action protest network known for targeting arms companies, particularly sites linked to the Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. In July 2025 the Home Secretary proscribed the group under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000, placing it alongside banned organisations and making membership or the showing of support a criminal offence. The decision was immediately controversial and was challenged in the courts.
The legal challenge
In R (Ammori) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, the High Court ruled on 13 February 2026 that the proscription was unlawful, finding it inconsistent with the government’s own stated policy and a disproportionate interference with rights to freedom of expression and assembly under the European Convention on Human Rights. Crucially, however, the court ordered that the proscription remain in force pending the government’s appeal. The Court of Appeal heard that appeal in late April 2026. Its judgment had not been delivered when this page was last reviewed, so the final outcome – and whether the ban survives – remained undecided.
What offences are people arrested for?
Most arrests connected to the proscription are under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which concerns showing support for, or wearing items associated with, a proscribed organisation. It is a summary offence carrying a maximum of six months’ imprisonment, but it also leaves a person with a terrorism-related record. Separately, some activists face more serious charges such as criminal damage arising from direct action at company premises.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Arrested | More than 2,700 people reported arrested for alleged support since July 2025, including 500-plus at a single London protest in April 2026 |
| Charged | Hundreds of cases referred for prosecution, mostly under section 13 (alleged, unproven) |
| Convicted | A small number, e.g. in the Filton/Elbit criminal-damage case (May 2026) |
| In prison | Some held on remand; confirmed custodial sentences for support offences were not clearly documented at the time of review |
The Filton (Elbit) case
One of the most significant prosecutions relates to an August 2024 break-in – before proscription – at Elbit Systems’ site in Filton, Bristol. On 5 May 2026, four of six defendants were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of criminal damage, with one also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police officer; two defendants were acquitted. Importantly, those convictions were for criminal damage and violence, not for the section 13 “support” offence, and related to conduct that pre-dated the ban.
- “Arrested” is not “convicted.” The large arrest figures largely reflect people detained at protests, many of whom have not been (and may never be) convicted.
- The ban is being litigated. A court has found the proscription unlawful, but it remains in force pending appeal – so the law can still be enforced for now.
- Criminal damage is not the same as a terrorism conviction. The Filton convictions were for property and violence offences, not for supporting a proscribed group.
Where to follow the official position
The current list of proscribed organisations is published on GOV.UK, and the wording of the relevant offences is on legislation.gov.uk. Court judgments are published by the Judiciary of England and Wales. For more on how these cases are being treated, see our related explainer on why some Palestine Action activists are prosecuted under terrorism law.
Frequently asked questions
Is it currently illegal to support Palestine Action?
While the proscription remains in force pending appeal, expressing support can be prosecuted under the Terrorism Act 2000, even though a court has found the ban unlawful.
How long can you be jailed for showing support?
The section 13 offence carries a maximum of six months’ imprisonment, though it also results in a terrorism-related record.
Have many people actually been imprisoned?
Many have been arrested and some remanded, but confirmed custodial sentences specifically for support offences were not clearly established when this page was reviewed.
Will the ban be lifted?
That depends on the Court of Appeal (and any further appeal). No final outcome had been delivered as of June 2026.
This is a fast-moving legal story and figures change frequently. This page is for general information and was accurate to the best of our knowledge in June 2026.
