Palestine Action Activists Cleared of Violent Disorder at Elbit Systems Site
Three activists associated with the Palestine Action group have been found not guilty of violent disorder following an incident at a UK site belonging to Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defence contractor.
Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, and Leona Kamio, 30, were facing accusations in connection with a reported break-in at the Elbit Systems facility located near Bristol. During proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be presenting evidence for the charge of violent disorder, leading to their acquittal on this specific count.
The three individuals, alongside Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, continue to face a charge of criminal damage. Furthermore, Samuel Corner is also confronting an additional charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.
This case unfolds against a backdrop of significant international legal scrutiny concerning Israel. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Separately, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing genocide proceedings brought by South Africa against Israel, having issued provisional measures in January 2024 ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide. Amnesty International concluded in December 2024 that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and multiple UN bodies have documented war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
