A wave of demonstrations has swept towns and cities across the United Kingdom in support of the banned group Palestine Action, ahead of a key court case scheduled for next week.

In London, 47 people were arrested on Thursday after gathering outside the Ministry of Justice. Protesters held banners reading, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." If charged under UK terrorism laws, those arrested could face up to six months in prison for such displays of support.

According to protest organizers Defend Our Juries, Tuesday saw demonstrations in roughly 20 locations across the UK. Of the 240 demonstrators involved, 142 were arrested.

Crackdown on Palestine Action and co

Palestine Action was banned in July under the UK's Terrorism Act of 2000. The British government accused the group of committing acts of vandalism targeting sites linked to "Israel", including an air force base. Since the ban, over 2,000 people have reportedly been arrested for alleged support of the group.

On Thursday, police in London announced that 120 people had been formally charged in relation to an August 9 protest in the capital. A total of 254 individuals have been charged so far for showing support for Palestine Action.

However, a leaked intelligence assessment has challenged the UK government's rationale for outlawing the activist group, Scottish daily The National reported.

The report demonstrates Home Secretary Yvette Cooper “has consistently lied about Palestine Action in a panicked attempt to defend the proscription.”

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According to the leaked assessment, JTAC determined that Palestine Action engaged in or facilitated “acts of terrorism” in connection with incidents that caused property damage. However, the report also stated that JTAC does not otherwise view the group as being linked to terrorism.

JTAC further concluded that most of Palestine Action’s direct actions would not meet the definition of terrorism outlined in Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Public demonstrations and charges across cities

Demonstrators across the UK continue to voice opposition to the ban, with widespread arrests and legal proceedings following. Banners, Palestinian flags, and chants of "Free Palestine" have been present outside courtrooms and government buildings.

Elizabeth, a 54-year-old doctor, told AFP she joined the Thursday demonstration “to support Palestine and Palestine Action” and to oppose what she described as growing authoritarianism in the UK.

"I'm afraid that there will come a time, very soon, where there won't be any civil liberty," she said.

Key trial looms as co-founder challenges ban

Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, is scheduled to challenge the UK government’s ban in a legal case beginning Tuesday, November 25. The three-day trial will take place against the Interior Ministry, which had designated the group as a terrorist organization earlier this year.

Human rights organizations and legal observers, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace, have condemned the UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action. They argue the move represents legal overreach and poses a serious threat to civil liberties and freedom of expression.

Ongoing trials

Six individuals are currently on trial for allegedly breaking into a UK site operated by a "Israel"-based weapons firm last year. They are accused of causing over £1 million in damage using sledgehammers. On the opening day of the trial, around two dozen protesters gathered outside the court, with chants of "Free Palestine" audible inside the courtroom.

Defend Our Juries also reported that six imprisoned activists linked to Palestine Action have launched a hunger strike, calling for their release on bail and demanding the group’s removal from the UK’s list of banned organizations.

Read more: UK was warned Palestine Action ban could boost group's public support