Palestine Action 'Activists' to Face Retrial Over 2024 Elbit Factory Raid
The CPS will seek a February 2027 retrial for six Palestine Action activists on criminal damage and violent disorder charges. During an February 18 hearing, prosecutors dropped separate burglary charges against 18 other defendants.
British prosecutors have confirmed they will seek a retrial for six Palestine Action activists involved in a high-profile raid on the UK subsidiary of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, following widespread criticism of their recent acquittal on aggravated burglary charges.
The decision comes just days after a jury at Woolwich Crown Court cleared the defendants of the most serious charge, but failed to reach verdicts on counts of criminal damage and violent disorder.The activists, Charlotte Head, 29; Samuel Corner, 23; Leona Kamio, 30; Fatema Rajwani, 21; Zoe Rogers, 22; and Jordan Devlin, 31, were accused of storming Elbit's facility in Filton, near Bristol, in the early hours of August 6, 2024.
Prosecutors alleged the group caused over £1 million in damage by smashing equipment with sledgehammers and other tools, while one police officer suffered a fractured spine during the confrontation and is permanently injured as a result of the assault.
The raid was part of Palestine Action's broader campaign against Elbit, which they claim supplies weapons used in Israel's military operations in Gaza.
After more than 36 hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted all six of aggravated burglary on February 4, 2026, delivering a significant setback to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
However, the panel was hung on the remaining charges, prompting the CPS to announce on February 8 that it would pursue a retrial.
The retrial is scheduled for February 2027, with a preliminary hearing set for today, February 18, 2026.
The initial verdict sparked immediate backlash from police officials, lawmakers, and Jewish community organizations, who argued it could embolden "mob violence" in pursuit of political goals.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek a retrial, warning that the outcome "risks giving the green light to mob violence."
Jewish groups, including those represented in statements from the Community Security Trust, echoed these concerns, highlighting the injury to the officer and the raid's impact on a firm linked to Israel's defense industry.
Families of the defendants described the action as a necessary protest against Elbit's role in what they term Israel's "genocide" in Gaza.
The group was released on bail pending the retrial, with five walking free shortly after the verdict.
Adding to the controversy, the UK's High Court recently overturned a government ban designating Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, ruling it unlawful just days after the acquittal.
Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, has faced repeated targeting by Palestine Action, which has claimed responsibility for shutting down several of its UK sites through protests and sabotage.
The company maintains its operations are legal and essential for defense purposes.