Palestine Action Activists Cleared of Aggravated Burglary in Elbit Factory Raid
A dark day for British law: Pro-Palestinian radicals acquitted after ramming a van into a Bristol factory and causing $1.3M in damage. Even a sledgehammer attack on a police officer couldn't secure a conviction. Is anti-Israel extremism now above the law?
In a controversial verdict that has sparked widespread criticism, six pro-Palestinian activists from the banned group Palestine Action were acquitted of aggravated burglary following their brazen 2024 raid on the UK subsidiary of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems in Bristol. The group, accused of causing over £1 million ($1.3 million) in damage by smashing equipment with sledgehammers, celebrated the outcome with hugs, waves, and cheers from supporters, leaving many to question the British justice system's handling of anti-Israel extremism.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of August 6, 2024, when the activists, Charlotte Head, 29; Samuel Corner, 23; Leona Kamio, 30; Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21; Zoe Rogers, 22; and Jordan Devlin, 31, allegedly drove a decommissioned prison van through the factory's perimeter fence and used it as a battering ram to breach the building. Once inside, they reportedly destroyed computers, drones, and other equipment, claiming their actions were a protest against Elbit's alleged supply of weapons to the Israeli military, a claim the company denies.
At London's Woolwich Crown Court, after more than 36 hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted all six of aggravated burglary, a charge that could have carried life sentences. Rajwani, Rogers, and Devlin were also cleared of violent disorder. However, the jury failed to reach verdicts on violent disorder charges for Head, Corner, and Kamio, as well as on criminal damage for all defendantsm prompting prosecutors to consider a retrial.
Particularly shocking was the handling of allegations against Samuel Corner, who was captured on bodycam footage striking a female police sergeant with a sledgehammer, fracturing her spine. While the jury acquitted him of violent disorder related to the incident, they deadlocked on the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, meaning Corner could still face a retrial for the assault.
As the verdicts were read, the defendants hugged in the dock and waved to their supporters, who erupted in loud cheers once the judge exited the courtroom. Reports and eyewitness accounts described scenes of jubilation, with activists and their backers smiling and laughing in apparent triumph over the acquittals.
Jewish community leaders and security experts, condemned the verdicts as a dangerous precedent that emboldens anti-Israel militants. "This sends a chilling message that violence in the name of activism can go unpunished," said one commentator.
The five defendants not fully cleared, Head, Corner, Kamio, Rajwani, and Rogers, were released on bail pending decisions on retrials, while Devlin walked free.