Four of 6 activists for Palestine Action were found guilty of criminal damage over a break-in at an Israeli-linked defence company after a retrial.
In a retrial that ended on 5 May, one of the four was also found guilty in an 11-1 majority verdict of inflicting grievous bodily harm – but cleared of the more serious charge of grievous bodily harm with intent. He was convicted after hitting a police officer in the back with a seven-pound sledgehammer amid scuffles with security guards and police. The defendant said he had been trying to protect another activist who he heard screaming.
Two of the defendants were acquitted of the criminal damage charge.
All six were on re-trial after they were acquitted in February of a more serious charge of aggravated burglary. At that first trial three of the defendants were found not guilty of violent disorder and the jury could not agree on verdicts for the other three. Charges were amended ahead of the retrial.
The four convicted on 5 May were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 12 June.
The verdicts come as the government attempts to overturn a court ruling that its ban on Palestine Action is illegal; further political calls to stop pro-Palestinian protests in the wake of a spate of apparent recent anti-Semitic attacks on Jews in the UK just days before local and national elections across the UK; and a questionable, uncertain, but so far continuing Middle East ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Four Palestine Action activists found guilty of criminal damage – The Guardian
“UK convicts four Palestine Action activists over break-in at Israeli firm” – Al Jazeera
“Crisis of anti-semitism” says UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer – BBC News
Middle East “ceasefire” – BBC News
UK ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful – AEJ UK 13 February 2026
