UK counterterrorism police charge 7 Palestine Action protesters

British counterterrorism police have charged seven people with violent disorder over a burglary at a building belonging to Israeli defence firm Elbit in southwest England, prosecutors said according to Reuters.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have repeatedly targeted Elbit Systems UK and other defence firms in Britain linked to Israel in the wake of the conflict in Gaza.

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service said seven people, aged between 20 and 51, had been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder and aggravated burglary over an incident at the Elbit premises in South Gloucestershire on 6 August.

“On the facts of this case, the CPS will be submitting to the court that these offences have a terrorist connection,” the CPS said in a statement.

The accused group are due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today.

The group, Palestine Action, said the Elbit site was the new £35 million ($45 million) research and development hub of the company in Filton.

“Direct action against Elbit aims to disrupt this: targeting the source of colonial violence and genocide against the Palestinian people, undermining Elbit’s profiteering from Israel’s daily massacres,” the group said on its website.

🎥 A solidarity protest outside #Hammersmith Police Station where some @Pal_Action activists have been held with limited access to lawyers for nearly a week after an action against #Elbit Systems.@MicRighteous @Lowkey0nline @Netpol @CAGEintl

👉 https://t.co/feHyC7MNIj pic.twitter.com/3ZPdglZ23x

— Real Media (@RealMediaGB) August 12, 2024

Palestine Action accused police of using “unprecedented powers” under the Terrorism Act to arrest six of the protesters. The group released a photo of the six but did not name them.

The group also accused police of issuing “smear” statements accusing the activists of assault.

Palestine Action said in a statement: “As well as detaining them under unprecedented powers, police have launched a smear campaign against the detained actionists, alleging violence against police and security guards.”

“The activists are unable to respond to these claims, and unable to describe for public record the force used against them by police and private security.”

Elbit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its website says its UK subsidiary employs 680 people at 16 sites.

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