Six members of the proscribed group Palestine Action are on trial at Woolwich, accused of a planned attack on Elbit Systems' Bristol facility in August 2024 that prosecutors say damaged equipment and injured a police officer. Court evidence included police bodycam and GoPro footage; the defendants deny charges including aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. The prosecutions — part of wider arrests of 24 activists and extended pre-trial detention — have drawn international scrutiny and large public protests. Judge Jeremy Johnson told jurors to base their verdict solely on the evidence; the trial is expected to run about 10 weeks.
Six Palestine Action Activists on Trial Over Alleged Attack on Elbit Systems Facility
Six members of the proscribed group Palestine Action are on trial at Woolwich, accused of a planned attack on Elbit Systems' Bristol facility in August 2024 that prosecutors say damaged equipment and injured a police officer. Court evidence included police bodycam and GoPro footage; the defendants deny charges including aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. The prosecutions — part of wider arrests of 24 activists and extended pre-trial detention — have drawn international scrutiny and large public protests. Judge Jeremy Johnson told jurors to base their verdict solely on the evidence; the trial is expected to run about 10 weeks.
07:07 AM, 11/19/2025Conflict
Six British members of the proscribed group Palestine Action have appeared at Woolwich Crown Court, accused of a coordinated attack on Elbit Systems' Bristol facility in early August 2024 that prosecutors say caused significant property damage and injured a police officer.
Court evidence and charges
Prosecutors told the court the defendants meticulously planned the assault, allegedly targeting computers and technical equipment used at the site, which produces weapons systems including drones. Police body-worn camera footage and GoPro recordings made by some defendants were shown in court, appearing to capture smashed equipment and the use of fire extinguishers filled with red paint.
The six defendants deny charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. One defendant faces an additional charge of causing bodily harm to a police officer, accused of striking an officer with a sledgehammer during an attempted arrest.
Wider context and public reaction
The government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2024. The six on trial are among 24 activists linked to the group who have been arrested at different times; many of those detained have been held for more than a year without trial, exceeding the UK's typical six-month pre-trial limit. That extended detention and the prosecutions have drawn international scrutiny and legal concern.
Thousands have protested in support of the activists and the detainees, and recent demonstrations in London led to hundreds of arrests. Authorities say they are applying anti-terror laws; more than 500 people were detained during Palestine Action protests on October 4, according to police reports.
Judge's instructions and next steps
At the hearing, Judge Jeremy Johnson reminded jurors that their personal views on Israel's war in Gaza, and questions about the legality of the proscription, are not relevant to the criminal charges. He urged them to focus solely on the evidence. The trial is expected to last about 10 weeks. Some detainees have begun a hunger strike, alleging mistreatment by prison authorities.