In landmark case, UK judge sentences pro-Palestine activists as terrorists
Aidan Frere-Smith reports in Mondoweiss on 17 June 2026:
On June 12, 2026, a UK judge at Woolwich Crown Court convicted four Palestine Action activists as terrorists and sentenced them to prison for their involvement in a direct action protest at a factory operated by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, which reportedly caused £1.2 million in damages.
This is the first time in the UK that counter-terrorism legislation has been used against activists. There are now major concerns that this will set a dangerous precedent for other activists who oppose Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and in ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
Palestine Action members Charlotte Head and Leona Kamio were sentenced to 6 years, less 45 days, while Fatema Zainab Rajwani was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months, less 45 days, under a clause in terrorism legislation for causing criminal damage. Samuel Corner was also sentenced to eight years and eight months, including an additional sentence for grievous bodily harm without intent.
The raid carried out by the six activists on the Elbit factory in Filton, UK took place in August 2024, where it is reported that they destroyed 40 “military assets” including the ‘Magni X’ drone and multiple ‘Thor’ drones; both of which have been deployed extensively in Gaza by the Israeli military.