Six British members of the proscribed Palestine Action group have gone on trial in the United Kingdom for an alleged attack on the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The defendants are accused of deliberately damaging property and injuring a police officer during a protest at the company’s Bristol facility in August 2024.

Allegations and Charges

Prosecutors told the court at Woolwich Crown Court that the six individuals meticulously planned the assault to maximize damage and obtain information about Elbit Systems’ operations. Charges against the activists include:

• Aggravated burglary
• Criminal damage
• Violent disorder
• Causing bodily harm to a police officer with a sledgehammer

According to prosecutor Deanna Heer, the activists sprayed red paint from fire extinguishers, smashed computers and technical equipment, and targeted weapons production facilities, including drones. Police body-camera footage and GoPro recordings worn by the defendants were presented as evidence.

Background of Palestine Action

Founded in 2020, Palestine Action aims to disrupt the UK arms industry and has focused on companies involved in military equipment production for Israel. The UK government designated the group as a terrorist organization in July 2025, nearly a year after the Bristol incident.

The six defendants are part of a wider group of 24 activists arrested at different times. Many have been in custody for over a year, exceeding the UK’s typical six-month pre-trial detention limit, prompting international scrutiny of the Starmer administration’s handling of pro-Palestinian activism.

Public Demonstrations and Arrests

Palestine Action has garnered significant public attention, with thousands rallying in support of the detainees. In recent weeks, UK authorities have arrested hundreds of protesters, including more than 500 detained on October 4, 2025, during a demonstration in London organized by Defend Our Juries, advocating against the ban on Palestine Action.

Judicial Guidance

During the hearing, Judge Jeremy Johnson instructed the jury to focus solely on the evidence presented in court. He emphasized that personal opinions about Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza or the legality of proscribing Palestine Action should not influence the verdict.

The trial is expected to last 10 weeks, and some detainees began a hunger strike in November to protest what they describe as systemic mistreatment by prison authorities.

International Implications

The trial has attracted attention globally, highlighting the UK government’s approach to anti-terror legislation, the policing of pro-Palestinian activism, and broader debates over civil liberties and protest rights. Human rights advocates have criticized the length of pre-trial detention and the use of terrorism charges against non-violent activists.