Palestine Action ban appeal enters closed proceedings at UK Supreme Court

The appeal against the ban on Palestine Action entered closed proceedings at the UK Supreme Court on Thursday, after the government and lawyers representing the group's co-founder concluded their public arguments, paving the way for judges to hear secret evidence presented by the government. Opening the proceedings, James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, disputed claims that Palestine Action "stood within the long tradition of civil disobedience in Britain". "Their activities are planned and undertaken secretly in order to avoid detection," Eadie said, adding that they caused "serious damage to property". Reiterating that the court should defer to parliament's decision to ban Palestine Action, Eadie argued that the direct-action group's track record of property damage to Israeli weapons met the legal definition of terrorism. Read more: Palestine Action ban appeal enters closed proceedings at UK Supreme Court Police arrested dozens of people outside the UK Supreme Court on the first day of an appeal against the ban on Palestine Action (AFP)