Palestine Action activists could be sentenced as terrorists for defence factory raid

"Mr Justice Johnson, in a pre-trial ruling, found that the charges had a terrorist connection. Palestine Action was banned as a terrorist organisation under a Government proscription order in July 2025. However, the controversial move was declared unlawful by the High Court in February this year. Mr Justice Johnson may still be asked to consider a terror link to the raid on the Elbit factory when he passes sentence on 12 June, in spite of the Government's court defeat on proscription."

"The activists, who were armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, smashed into the site using an old prison van. Corner fractured a police officer's spine during the fracas. The four defendants claimed that the action was necessary to protect Palestinians. They were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court last week of criminal damage, while Corner was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm."

"Supporters of the defendants have complained of a stitch-up that jurors considering the case during the trial were not told of the terror link, or that if convicted the activists could face aggravated sentences. They say that if sentences are passed with a terrorist connection, the jail terms would be longer and have to be served in full, while the convicted defendants may also s"

"The Court of Appeal is currently considering an appeal by the Government, but it is not yet known if it will have delivered its ruling when the judge passes sentence in June. Mr Justice Johnson may still be asked to consider a terror link to the raid on the Elbit factory when he passes sentence on 12 June, in spite of the Government's court defeat on proscription."

Four Palestine Action activists were convicted for the 6 August 2024 raid on the Elbit Systems factory in Bristol, involving about 1 million pounds of criminal damage. The defendants entered the site armed with sledgehammers and crowbars using an old prison van. Samuel Corner fractured a police officer’s spine during the incident. The activists claimed the action was necessary to protect Palestinians. They were convicted of criminal damage, and Corner was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm. A pre-trial ruling found the charges had a terrorist connection, and sentencing is scheduled for 12 June. Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July 2025, but the proscription was declared unlawful by the High Court in February. The Court of Appeal is considering a government appeal, and it is unclear whether a ruling will be issued before sentencing.

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