Four activists from the Palestine Action group are set to be sentenced in the United Kingdom on Friday, facing the possibility of being classified as 'terrorists' despite being convicted only of criminal damage by a jury.

Palestine Action, launched in July 2020, describes itself as a movement 'committed to ending global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime'. It uses disruptive tactics against companies involved in manufacturing weapons for Israel, including Elbit Systems, Leonardo, Thales, and Teledyne.

In August 2024, activists raided a factory in Filton, Bristol, operated by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, causing approximately £1 million ($1.36 million) in damage. They aimed to disrupt production of weapons and drone components allegedly used by Israel in Gaza.

Last month, Charlotte Head (30), Samuel Corner (23), Leona Kamio (30), and Fatema Zainab Rajwani (21) were convicted of criminal damage at Woolwich Crown Court. Corner was also found guilty of striking a police officer with a sledgehammer. Two other activists were acquitted.

The defendants admitted damaging Israeli military drones and equipment to 'save lives in Palestine', according to their lawyers. The jury was not informed that the activists could be sentenced under terrorism laws if convicted.

If the court determines a 'terrorist connection', the activists would serve their entire sentences in prison and be recorded as terrorists for life, requiring them to register new mobile devices, email addresses, and bank accounts with police.

Over 50 lawyers and law professors published an open letter denouncing the potential sentencing, arguing that property damage has been a feature of protest campaigns from the Suffragettes to Extinction Rebellion and has never been considered terrorism. Protests are expected outside the court on Friday.

Source: www.aljazeera.com