Pro-Palestine activists sentenced as terrorists over damage at Israeli arms factory in UK
Four found guilty get tougher conditions as judge says actions were ‘designed to intimidate the UK government and a section of the public’
TL;DR
- Four Palestine Action activists were sentenced to lengthy custodial terms.
- The judge ruled there was a "terrorist connection" to their criminal damage at an Elbit Systems UK factory.
- The activists caused approximately £1.2m in damage, including to military assets and drones.
- The judge stated the offense was designed to intimidate the UK government and the public for a political cause.
- The terrorist connection finding means the activists will serve at least two-thirds of their sentences in prison.
- Defense lawyers argued the ruling was unprecedented and could be applied to historical protest movements.
- One activist was also convicted of grievous bodily harm for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer.
- Protests occurred outside the court, with some supporters chanting "Saving lives is not terrorism."