Wed Feb 04 12:16:50 UTC 2026: ### Headline: UK Jury Acquits Six Pro-Palestinian Activists on Aggravated Burglary Charges in Elbit Factory Raid

The Story:

Six pro-Palestinian activists in the United Kingdom have been acquitted of aggravated burglary charges stemming from a raid on a factory operated by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems in Bristol in August 2025. The defendants, members of the now-banned group Palestine Action, were on trial at London’s Woolwich Crown Court starting in November 2025. While the jury delivered a not-guilty verdict on the aggravated burglary charges, they were unable to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage.

Key Points:

  • Six activists – Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31 – were charged with aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and criminal damage.
  • The charges related to a raid on the Elbit Systems UK facility in Bristol in August 2025.
  • The defendants were members of Palestine Action, a group now banned.
  • The jury acquitted the six on aggravated burglary charges but could not reach a verdict on the criminal damage charges.
  • The trial commenced in November 2025 at Woolwich Crown Court.

Key Takeaways:

  • The acquittal on the most serious charge (aggravated burglary) represents a partial victory for the activists.
  • The inability of the jury to reach a verdict on criminal damage indicates a level of complexity or disagreement within the jury regarding the activists’ actions.
  • The banning of Palestine Action underscores the UK government’s stance on disruptive pro-Palestinian activism.
  • The case highlights the ongoing tensions and activism surrounding Israeli defense firms operating in the UK.

Impact Analysis:

The acquittal, even partial, is likely to embolden pro-Palestinian activists and could lead to further protests and actions against companies perceived to be complicit in Israeli military actions. It could also lead to increased scrutiny of Elbit Systems’ operations in the UK and put pressure on the government to address concerns about the company’s activities. The banning of Palestine Action might drive such activism underground or lead to the formation of new groups with similar aims. The differing verdicts also point to the complicated legal and ethical questions surrounding protest and activism, particularly when it involves direct action against property.

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