SHABANA MAHMOOD must drop the appeal against the recent court ruling lifting the Palestine Action ban as it has “significantly impacted” thousands of lives with some losing their jobs, Defend Our Juries (DoJ) has urged. 

The campaign group has written to the Home Secretary requesting that she reconsider the appeal of the High Court’s decision in the judicial review of the ban on Palestine Action. 

It comes amid reports that supporters of the direct action group and the Lift the Ban campaign have faced job losses and other consequences.

The letter said: “Your decision to appeal has created an unprecedented legal limbo, causing chaos and confusion in the courts and for the thousands of people arrested under terrorism laws for acts of peaceful protest against genocide and an unlawful law.”

DoJ has requested a meeting with Ms Mahmood, so that she can “understand better the human impacts your policy is having on so many lives.”

More than 2,700 people arrested for taking part in Lift the Ban actions face prolonged uncertainty and consequences in their daily lives, it warned. 

The group said it is aware of 16 people sacked, suspended or having freelance contracts terminated because of their arrest under the Terrorism Act after peacefully holding signs saying: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” 

Alongside employment consequences, sign-holders have faced disruption in other parts of their daily lives. 

Kara, in her 20s, said: “I’ve always wanted to adopt. My ability to start a family is in limbo. I’m concerned that I won’t ever be able to have one.

“According to Amnesty International, when a crime is committed, the restrictions of a person’s human rights must be proportionate to the crime committed. 

“For holding a piece of cardboard, my right to a family, my right to employment, my right to travel and my right to practise my religion have been taken away. Is this proportionate?”

An appeal by the government could be heard in two or three months, but the case could then go to the Supreme Court, taking until the end of the year, or ultimately to the European Court of Human Rights, which could take two or three years.

Lift the Ban campaign calls for the government to immediately abandon plans to appeal, name the Israeli assault on Palestinians as a genocide, and end all military trade and co-operation with Israel.