Palestine Action activists cleared of aggravated burglary at Israeli defence firm site | Palestine Action

Six Palestine Action activists have been acquitted of aggravated burglary following a break-in at a UK site belonging to Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. The activists were accused of using sledgehammers as weapons during the incident on August 6, 2024, but a jury at Woolwich Crown Court found none of them guilty of any offense.

Break-in at Elbit Systems Factory

Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin were accused of threatening unlawful violence after a prison van was driven into the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol.

While all six were acquitted of aggravated burglary – a charge carrying a potential life sentence – jurors found Rajwani, Rogers and Devlin not guilty of violent disorder. The jury deliberated for 36 hours and 34 minutes but could not reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage against any of the defendants.

The prosecution, led by Deanna Heer KC, had argued that the defendants were armed with sledgehammers intended to damage property and potentially threaten people. Heer alleged security guards were sworn at, had sledgehammers swung at them, were whipped, and one was sprayed with a foam fire extinguisher.

Defense counsel, Rajiv Menon KC, representing Head, argued that any violence was unplanned and that the defendants were “completely out of their depth” when confronted by security guards. He compared Head to the suffragettes and described Elbit Systems as a company that “has played a critical role in the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians.” The defense also raised concerns about missing CCTV footage and alleged excessive force used by the security team.

During the trial, one juror inquired whether destroying weapons used to kill civilians in an alleged genocide would constitute a lawful excuse. The judge, Mr Justice Johnson, ruled it would not, but Menon reminded the jurors of their right to acquit.

Following the verdicts, Rogers’ mother, Clare, stated that the government prioritized business with Israel and the protection of its weapons industry. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries called the verdicts “a huge blow to government ministers” who had attempted to portray Palestine Action as a violent group to justify a ban that took effect on July 5, 2025. Amnesty International also stated the case highlighted the disproportionate nature of the proscription decision.