LONDON, United Kingdom — Lawyers for the UK government on Tuesday defended a contentious ban under anti-terror laws of anti-Israel activist group Palestine Action, as three days of hearings challenging the move concluded.

The government’s legal team argued the decision to criminalize the direct action organization, announced in July, was proportionate following an “escalation” in its activities.

The move makes being a member of the group or supporting it a serious criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

That has resulted in at least 2,300 arrests of demonstrators, according to protest organizers Defend Our Juries, and sparked concerns over free speech and civil liberties.

Six members of the group went on trial last month for aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder over a raid on Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, with one also charged with causing grievous bodily harm by hitting a police officer with a sledgehammer.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk, the Council of Europe rights watchdog, and a number of nonprofit organizations have criticized the ban and the “excessive limits” on the right to protest.

Palestine Action........

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