Palestine Action Activists Cleared of Aggravated Burglary at Israeli Defence Factory
In a significant legal development, six British pro-Palestinian activists have been acquitted of aggravated burglary charges relating to a high-profile 2024 raid on a factory operated by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at London's Woolwich Crown Court, where the jury was unable to reach decisions on additional charges of criminal damage after extensive deliberation.
Details of the Case and Defendants
Prosecutors stated that the six defendants were members of the now-banned activist group Palestine Action, which organised the assault on the Elbit Systems UK facility located in Bristol, southwest England, in August last year. The trial, which began in November, saw the defendants—Charlotte Head (29), Samuel Corner (23), Leona Kamio (30), Fatema Zainab Rajwani (21), Zoe Rogers (22), and Jordan Devlin (31)—all deny charges of aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and criminal damage.
The jury found Rajwani, Rogers, and Devlin not guilty of violent disorder. However, it could not reach verdicts on the same charge against Head, Corner, and Kamio following more than thirty-six and a half hours of deliberation. Additionally, Corner had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent for allegedly hitting a female police sergeant with a sledgehammer during the incident, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on that count as well.
Courtroom Reactions and Broader Implications
Following the announcement of the acquittals, the six defendants hugged in the dock and waved to supporters in the public gallery, who cheered loudly after the judge had left the court. This case highlights ongoing tensions and activism related to international conflicts within the UK, particularly concerning firms involved in defence manufacturing. The outcome may influence future legal approaches to similar protests and raise questions about the effectiveness of banning activist groups like Palestine Action.
As this remains a breaking news story, further developments are expected as authorities consider whether to pursue retrials on the unresolved charges. The incident underscores the complex interplay between civil liberties, protest actions, and national security concerns in contemporary British society.
