Palestine Action

Palestine Action
Formation30 July 2020; 4 years ago (2020-07-30)
TypeActivist group
PurposeOpposition to arms funding of Israel
Region
United Kingdom
Websitewww.palestineaction.org

Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian protest network that uses direct action tactics to shut down and disrupt multinational arms dealers. The group targets UK-based operations that provide weapons used in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Its main targets are UK factories of Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. In their campaigns, Palestine Action have used protest, occupation of premises and alleged criminal damage, destruction of property and vandalism, which has sometimes resulted in its members being arrested.

History

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Palestine Action was founded on 30 July 2020 when activists broke into and spray-painted the interior of Elbit Systems' UK headquarters in London.[1]

Protests

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On 19 May 2021, during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, four members of the group dressed in red boiler suits climbed onto the roof of an Elbit Systems-owned drone factory in Meridian Business Park, Leicester.[2][3][4] The occupation lasted six days, and a total of 10 arrests were made for conspiracy to commit criminal damage and aggravated trespass.[2] The defendants were cleared after the trial judge instructed the jury to consider the common law defence of Necessity and the statutory defence of Protection of Property under Section 5(2)(b) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.[5]

The group have staged similar occupations of Elbit Systems sites in Bristol,[6] Oldham in collaboration with Extinction Rebellion[7][8][9] and Tamworth[10] in collaboration with Animal Rebellion.[11]

On 10 June 2021, three protestors from the group "stormed, scaled and occupied" an APPH drone factory in Runcorn.[12] Activists daubed red paint on the exterior, dismantled drone and aircraft machinery and destroyed windows.[12][13] The next day all three were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.[14]

On 14 June, the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, a similar occupation protest was staged at an Arconic factory in Kitts Green, Birmingham by three protestors.[15] Arconic provided the cladding that allowed the rapid transmission of fire across Grenfell Tower, and according to Palestine Action provide "materials for Israel's fighter jets".[15] The occupation ended when two activists were arrested on the roof of the building two days later.[16] One activist was remanded in prison and immediately went on hunger strike.[17] The activist said they would end their strike if any one of four conditions were met: release of Palestine Action protestors; the eviction of Elbit from its London headquarters by property firm LaSalle Investment Management; the closure of all Elbit Systems' British operations or; release by the government of all correspondence and documents relating to its dealings with Elbit and its subsidiaries.[17]

In April 2022, two Palestine Action protestors chained themselves to the gates of a drone factory of UAV Tactical Systems Ltd, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, in Braunstone. Other activists gathered nearby with signs stating "Free Palestine". Three protestors were arrested. A spokesperson for the group said that "Direct action will not cease until all Elbit sites are closed."[18]

In January 2024, it was alleged that activists from Palestine Action were intending to target the London Stock Exchange by damaging the building and preventing trade.[19] Six people were arrested over the suspected plot of disruption.[20]

In September 2024, the London headquarters of APCO Worldwide was targeted by Palestine Action over its representation of the UK interests of Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems. Activists daubed the façade of the office building with red paint using repurposed fire extinguishers, blocked the entrance and locked the doors with a bike lock.[21][22][23]

Vandalism

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In November 2023, Palestine Action activists spray painted messages "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" across weapons company Leonardo's office in Piccadilly. Two men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage, which was investigated as a hate crime.[24]

In January 2024, Palestine Action vandalised an office of Kuehne + Nagel in Milton Keynes by smashing windows and spraying the building with paint. Palestine Action said the action was taken because "in the past 100 days over 25,000 Palestinians were killed".[25] Palestine Action said they targeted the company because it was assisting the delivery of weapons to Israel.[25]

In March 2024, Palestine Action claimed responsibility for spray painting an historic portrait of Arthur Balfour at Trinity College, Cambridge. Palestine Action said the action was taken because of the 1917 Balfour declaration.[26]

In April 2024, Somerset County Hall, a Grade II-listed public building owned by Somerset Council, was splashed with red paint after a Palestine Action protest. The protest was related to the council's leasing of a building to defence contractor Elbit Systems UK.[27]

In May 2024, seven Palestine Action activists who broke into a Bristol HQ of Elbit Systems, an international defence technology firm, to destroy equipment in 2022 were given suspended prison sentences and ordered to pay more than £5,000 in compensation. The protesters sprayed the messages "Free Palestine" and "Shut Elbit Down" on walls and windows and accused Elbit Systems of supplying arms to Israel.[28]

In June 2024, Cambridge students, in collaboration with Palestine Action, sprayed historic "senate house" red in University of Cambridge.[29]

In November 2024, Palestine Action members broke a glass cabinet in the University of Manchester's Chemistry Building on the Oxford Road campus, and stole two busts of Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel and a former teacher at the university. Palestine Action said it had "abducted" the busts to mark the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration in 1917.[30][31] As of November 2024 one individual has been arrested for the action.[32]

Responses to Palestine Action

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Freedom of Information (FOI) documents obtained by Palestine Action showed that Israeli embassy officials asked the UK Attorney General's Office (AGO) to intervene in cases involving the prosecution of UK protesters. Redactions were made to the FOI documents because disclosure "would be likely to prejudice the UK's relations with Israel". In his response to the embassy officials, the director general of the AGO mentioned the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which placed restrictions on protests, and a recent court case which determined that protesters accused of "significant" criminal damage could not use the protection of human rights as a defence.[33]

In May 2024, it was reported that an upcoming report from the government's adviser on political violence Lord Walney would recommend proscribing "extreme protest groups", including Palestine Action. Possible sanctions placed on the group could restrict its ability to fundraise and its right to assembly.[34]

Documents obtained by Palestine Action through FOI gave details of government meetings to "reassure" Elbit Systems about Palestine Action's campaign against it. Palestine Action said that the documents demonstrate that the Home Office tried to pressure police and prosecutors to crack down on activists targeting Elbit Systems.[35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ PA (30 July 2020). "The Launch of Palestine Action". Palestine Action. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Leicester pro-Palestinian drone factory protest ends after six days". BBC News. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  3. ^ Bedford, Corey (24 May 2021). "Palestine Action breaks into drone factory during protest". LeicestershireLive.
  4. ^ "Elbit protest: Pro-Palestine activists 'shut down' drone factory". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  5. ^ Greenhall, Owen (5 June 2024). "Jury acquits Palestine Action activists on defences of Necessity and Protection of Property | News | Garden Court Chambers | Leading Barristers located in London, UK". www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  6. ^ Cork, Tristan (13 April 2021). "Protesters target Israeli arms company in Bristol". BristolLive. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Elbit: Activists stage protest at Oldham weapons factory". BBC News. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  8. ^ RiellyMonday, Bethany (1 February 2021). "XR joins forces with Palestinian rights activists to shut down Israeli arms factory in Oldham". Morning Star. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Extinction Rebellion and Palestine Action activists protest Israeli-linked firm". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  10. ^ Reporter, JAmedia.uk Breaking Issues (25 May 2021). "Palestine Action Protest of Elite KL Tamworth May 2021". TJAmedia.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  11. ^ Reporter, Justin Knowles-Breaking Issues (16 March 2021). "Palestine Action and Animal Rebellion Shut Tamworth Factory". Tamworth Informed. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b Turner-LE, Ben; Clay, Oliver (10 June 2021). "Live updates as protesters stage protest on factory roof". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Runcorn factory roof". BBC News. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Pro-Palestinian activists arrested over Runcorn factory protest". BBC News. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  15. ^ a b Richardson, Andy; Perrin, Ben (15 June 2021). "Police at scene as protesters climb onto city factory roof". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  16. ^ LazenbyWednesday, Peter (16 June 2021). "Police 'violently' arrest Palestine Action protesters at factory in Birmingham". Morning Star. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  17. ^ a b LazenbyTuesday, Peter (22 June 2021). "Jailed activist who occupied roof of Grenfell cladding firm on hunger strike". Morning Star. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  18. ^ Owen, Dave (14 April 2022). "Protesters chain themselves to gates of city drone factory". LeicestershireLive. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  19. ^ Ho, Vivian (2024). "Six arrested over suspected plot to disrupt London Stock Exchange". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Six arrested over plot to disrupt London Stock Exchange". Metropolitan Police. 2024. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024.
  21. ^ Pro-Palestine activists descend on London as vandals target ANOTHER building with red paint amid Israel weapons row
  22. ^ Palestine Action just exposed how the Israel arms lobby directly influences UK parliament
  23. ^ Palestine Action activists blockade and spray paint lobbyists for Israeli arms firm
  24. ^ "Gaza protesters arrested after weapons firm's office covered in red paint". ITV News. 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b Perry, Louise (2024). "Palestine Action says it vandalised haulage firm". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Pro-Palestine activists attack painting of Lord Balfour at University of Cambridge's Trinity College". ITV News. 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024.
  27. ^ Lillywhite, Maisie (2024). "Council building splashed with red paint for a third time". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024.
  28. ^ Swallo, Bea (2024). "Bristol Palestine Action protesters get suspended sentences". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Cambridge university building sprayed with paint by protesters". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Manchester: Busts of Israeli president stolen from university". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Pro-Palestinian activists stage vandalism attacks on Balfour Declaration anniversary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Manchester: Arrest over burglary of ex-Israeli president bust". BBC News. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  33. ^ Siddique, Haroon (20 August 2023). "Israeli embassy officials attempted to influence UK court cases, documents suggest". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  34. ^ "'Extreme' protest groups face ban under proposal". BBC News. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  35. ^ Siddique, Haroon (30 September 2024). "Activists say they have proof ministers tried to influence police over Israeli arms firm protests". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
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