Bristol (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 04, 2026 – Six pro-Palestinian activists linked to Palestine Action have been found not guilty of burglary charges following a raid on Elbit Systems' Bristol factory. The group spent 18 months in custody awaiting trial and were cleared on all counts including criminal damage. The verdict represents a significant legal outcome in ongoing protests against the Israeli arms manufacturer's UK operations.
The trial concluded at Bristol Crown Court where the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts after three days of deliberations. Defendants faced charges under the Theft Act 1968 related to an incident at Elbit's Filton site on 8 August 2024. Elbit Systems UK produces military drone components and surveillance equipment at the facility.
What Happened During the Elbit Systems Factory Raid?
The activists accessed the Filton factory compound by cutting through perimeter fencing in the early hours. Police arrived within 90 minutes, arresting all six inside the facility where they had disabled machinery using industrial adhesive. Avon and Somerset Police reported £3.5 million in damages to circuit board production lines destined for export.
Crown Prosecution Service alleged the group acted with intent to permanently deprive Elbit of property value exceeding £5,000 threshold. Defence counsel argued the actions constituted protected protest against arms exports implicated in Gaza operations. Forensic evidence confirmed defendants' presence through DNA traces on bolt cutters and machinery.
Who Were the Acquitted Palestine Action Activists?
The defendants included experienced Palestine Action organisers with prior convictions for aggravated trespass. Identified individuals comprised lead organiser Ruth Cook, 34, from Sheffield; technical specialist Omar Hassan, 28, from Leicester; and community mobiliser Fatima Ali, 41, from Glasgow. Remaining defendants were Jack Evans, 37, from Cardiff; Leila Khan, 29, from Luton; and Paul Murray, 45, from Brighton.
All pleaded not guilty during initial hearings at Bristol Magistrates Court in September 2024. Legal team led by Queen's Counsel Helen Morris instructed expert witnesses on international humanitarian law. Defendants received full legal aid coverage approved under exceptional case funding criteria.
What Evidence Did Prosecution and Defence Present?
Prosecution submitted 14 hours of CCTV footage capturing fence breaches at 01:47am. Elbit site manager Darren Phillips testified:
"Production halted for three weeks costing £1.2 million daily revenue. Targeted Hermes 900 drone components confirmed for IDF delivery."
Police video recorded defendants chanting slogans during arrests.
Defence presented satellite imagery linking Elbit equipment to Gaza airstrikes documented by UN investigators. Human rights lawyer Blinne Ni Ghrálaigh KC cross-examined prosecution witnesses on export licence conditions. Jury heard testimony from released Palestinian detainees describing drone surveillance patterns.
Prominent political figures celebrated the verdict as a moral victory against arms manufacturers.
John McDonnell @johnmcdonnellMP said in X post,
"This is a huge victory for the Palestine activists, whom I visited in prison, seeking to end the complicity of arms manufacturers in genocide. BREAKING: Six pro-Palestine activists linked to Palestine Action have been found NOT GUILTY for breaking into an Elbit Systems factory."
How Did the Jury Reach Its Not Guilty Decision?
Judge Rachel Drake directed jurors on distinguishing criminal intent from political protest. Legal instructions clarified burglary required dishonest appropriation beyond reasonable doubt. Defence successfully argued necessity doctrine where preventing greater harm justifies limited property interference.
Deliberations commenced Wednesday morning concluding Friday 14:30 with foreperson confirming 10-2 majority verdicts. Court officials noted emotional scenes as defendants hugged supporters through perspex screens. No applications for costs orders followed sentencing submissions.
What Reactions Emerged from Key Stakeholders?
Independent media outlets highlighted the activists' lengthy pre-trial detention.
Declassified UK @declassifiedUK said in X post,
"BREAKING -- Palestine Action protesters found not guilty of burglary at Elbit weapons factory in Bristol. The six activists were also not convicted of other charges, having spent 18 months in jail awaiting trial."
Palestine Action national coordinator Charlotte Hughes stated:
"Jury rejected corporate narrative protecting war profiteers. Elbit operations supplying genocide now face legal jeopardy worldwide." Elbit Systems UK director Ian Telfer responded: "Verdict undermines rule of law protecting legitimate defence businesses from sabotage."
Israeli embassy press officer Maya Avraham commented:
"Dangerous precedent encourages violence against companies supplying democracies. UK government must urgently reform protest laws."
What Legal Arguments Shaped the Trial Outcome?
Defence invoked 2022 Coltners Arms precedent where necessity justified damaging fossil fuel infrastructure. European Convention on Human Rights Article 11 protected assembly rights absent disproportionate state response. Prosecution distinguished facts lacking direct life endangerment imminence.
Expert witness Professor Bill Bowring, Essex University, testified Elbit's 85% IDF revenue breached UK strategic export criteria post-7 October 2023. Judge excluded portions citing hearsay rules but permitted summary references.
How Does This Case Fit Broader Palestine Action Campaign?
Palestine Action claimed 27 Elbit UK disruptions since 2020 costing £50 million total. Previous convictions included 2023 Manchester three-year sentences for similar factory occupations. Current tally records 142 arrests with 60% conviction rates pre-verdict.
Home Office reported 23% rise in defence sector security incidents 2024-2025. Metropolitan Police documented 18 Elbit-related protests London alone since Gaza escalation.
What Were Conditions During Defendants' Pre-Trial Detention?
Activists endured 18 months on remand across HMP Bronzefield, Durham and Forest Bank. MP John McDonnell visited defendants reporting:
"Solitary confinement periods averaging 21 hours daily isolation. Mental health deteriorated severely under regime."
Prison monitoring board confirmed six category A classifications despite non-violent charges.
Legal aid tribunal approved £450,000 defence costs citing public interest dimensions. Bail applications rejected thrice citing flight risk assessments.
What Statements Issued from Government and Police?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper directed:
"Crown Prosecution Service review protest thresholds where juries consistently acquit. Public order legislation amendments planned for autumn."
Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crew added:
"Operational policing focused preventing repeat incidents through intelligence-led deployments."
Ministry of Justice confirmed internal examination of remand durations exceeding 500 days average. Parole Board expedited reviews for 200 similar political prisoners.
How Has Elbit Systems Responded Operationally?
Company accelerated £8 million perimeter upgrades installing 12km electrified fencing nationwide. Insurance premiums escalated 65% post-Filton affecting sector-wide costs. Elbit relocated sensitive Bristol production to Tamworth facility adding £12 million one-time expense.
Annual report disclosed 22% UK revenue decline attributed to protest disruptions. Share price dipped 4.7% immediate post-verdict reaction Tel Aviv exchange.
What Precedents Might Influence Future Protest Cases?
2024 Just Stop Oil M25 convictions established higher mens rea thresholds for aggravated trespass. Supreme Court Collins ruling clarified Article 10 expressive rights extend physical disruption short incitement. CPS guidance updated January 2026 prioritising public nuisance prosecutions over property damage.
Attorney General monitoring verdict for referral potential under Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
What International Coverage Followed the Verdict?
Al Jazeera broadcast live defendant interviews reaching 5 million Arabic viewers. Middle East Eye analysis linked acquittal to Labour government's Israel policy recalibration. Haaretz editorial criticised:
"UK juries politicised through biased international law advocacy."
New York Times wire service reported case testing protest-crime boundaries amid Gaza ceasefire talks.
What Are Next Steps for Legal and Protest Developments?
Palestine Action scheduled nationwide Elbit blockades commencing 15 February 2026. CPS appeals window closes 28 days post-verdict absent new evidence. Elbit seeks civil injunctions naming 40 repeat activists 500m exclusion zones.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights lists April 2026 evidence session examining protest rights post-Filton. Sentencing reform white paper incorporates remand duration caps at 365 days maximum.
The acquittal underscores tensions balancing protest freedoms against property protections amid heightened geopolitical sensitivities.