UK court convicts four Palestine Action activists over raid on Elbit Systems facility

Woolwich Crown Court in the United Kingdom has reached a verdict in the case concerning the Aug. 6, 2024, raid on Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems’ facility in Bristol.

According to reports from PA Media, a jury convicted four Palestine Action activists of criminal damage following more than 14 hours of deliberation. One defendant was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.

The convictions of Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani were secured after the jury accepted the prosecution’s argument that the activists damaged military equipment with the intent to force the closure of the facility.

During the trial, it was noted that Head drove a prison transit vehicle into the factory’s shutters, utilizing the vehicle as a “battering ram.” Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC described the raid as “meticulously organized.”

Heer stated that the action was designed not only to cause widespread damage but also to gather intelligence on the company.

Prosecution testimony detailed how activists entered the premises and used sledgehammers and crowbars to smash computers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other equipment. They also reportedly sprayed red paint on walls and floors using fire extinguishers.

Total damages were estimated at £1 million, or approximately $1.36 million.

In the initial trial involving all six defendants, the jury acquitted the group of aggravated burglary charges but failed to reach a verdict on other counts at that stage.

In the retrial, the jury acquitted Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin of criminal damage, despite prosecution claims that both were present inside the factory during the raid.

Samuel Corner was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to Police Sergeant Kate Evans. The prosecution stated that after police arrived at the site, Corner struck Evans twice in the back with a seven-pound sledgehammer.

In their defense, the activists stated their objective was to “dismantle drones and weapons systems” intended for use by Israel in genocide in Gaza.

They asserted that the clashes with security guards and police were not part of the plan. Corner testified that he believed “doing something seemed reasonable” after hearing another activist scream and fearing they were being harmed by a security guard.

Elbit Systems is Israel’s leading defense technology manufacturer. The company is a primary supplier of weapons, ammunition, drones, guided rockets, and surveillance systems used in Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, Elbit’s sales to the Israeli military have increased by 50%, reaching approximately $2 billion in 2024 alone.

The company recently secured a series of major contracts, including a $340 million ammunition deal in August 2024 and a $200 million aerial munitions contract slated for early 2026.

Activists in the UK have repeatedly targeted Elbit subsidiaries due to the company’s central role in Israeli military operations. In response, British authorities have designated Palestine Action as a “terrorist organization,” with hundreds of protesters facing charges for opposing the ban.