Four UK pro-Palestinian activists jailed over raid on Israeli firm Elbit

Four British pro-Palestinian activists have been sentenced to a combined total of over 20 years for their involvement in a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems UK factory. The raid caused more than £1 million in damages to the facility, operated by the Israeli defense firm.

Judge Jeremy Johnson determined that the offending had a "terrorism connection," which led to longer sentences for Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Zainab Rajwani. They were convicted of criminal damage, with Corner also found guilty of grievous bodily harm for hitting a police officer with a sledgehammer. Prosecutors argued the incident should be treated as having a terrorism connection due to its intent to influence British government policy towards Israel.

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aggravating factor that the offending had a terrorist ​connection

Activists stated their motivation was to destroy weapons and halt what they described as Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, disavowing violence against people. Elbit Systems reported that insurers covered nearly £1.2 million for the damages, and the incident significantly impacted staff safety and well-being. Specialist military drone equipment and IT systems were among the damaged items.

The Palestine Action group, to which the convicted activists belonged, was subsequently proscribed under terrorism law. While a London High Court later ruled this ban unlawful, the group remains banned pending a government appeal. The judge acknowledged the activists' previous good character as a mitigating factor but emphasized the "extreme and gratuitous" force used by Corner.

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extreme and gratuitous