Four pro-Palestine activists sentenced as terrorists over attack on Israeli arms factory in UK
Four Palestine Action activists have been jailed for up to seven years for damaging an Elbit Systems UK factory, with a judge ruling a 'terrorist connection' to their actions, sparking protests outside the court.
Four activists from the Palestine Action group have received lengthy prison sentences after a judge found a 'terrorist connection' in their 2024 break-in at an Israeli arms manufacturer's UK facility. The four smashed drones and other equipment at the Elbit Systems site in Gloucestershire, causing £1.2 million in damages.
Charlotte Head, 30, and Leona Kamio, 30, were each sentenced to five years for criminal damage. Fatema Rajwani, 21, received four years and eight months, while Samuel Corner, 23, who was also convicted of grievous bodily harm for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer, was jailed for seven years and eight months. All will serve an additional year on licence and face 15 years of terrorist notification requirements.
Justice Johnson said the incident was a 'carefully planned and highly sophisticated attack' and that the defendants' political motives did not reduce the seriousness. He noted Corner used 'extreme and gratuitous force' against a vulnerable officer and showed no remorse.
Defence lawyers argued that applying terrorist designation to a non-violent offence was unprecedented and could set a dangerous precedent, comparing to suffragettes and peace protesters. Some lawyers wept after the terrorist finding.
Police officer Sergeant Kate Evans described the lasting impact on her health and personality. Outside Woolwich Crown Court, around 500 protesters gathered, with some holding signs reading 'Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.' More than 100 people were arrested for alleged support of Palestine Action, which remains proscribed under the Terrorism Act pending an appeal court ruling.
