Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network is republishing the following update from Palestine Action on the upcoming court cases for Palestine Action activists, including the four political prisoners, the #Teledyne4. We urge all supporters of Palestine to support these important campaigns and defend direct action to put an end to British-Israeli cooperation in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This month, numerous actionists will fight in the courts to prove Elbit is Guilty, Palestine Action is not! Most are on bail, but 4 remain imprisoned since December. Below is a list of court battles which require your support.

Free the #Teledyne4

On December 9th, 4 activists allegedly dismantled approximately £1million worth of military equipment, destined for Israel, at the US-owned Welsh based factory, Teledyne Labtech. They’ve remained detained ever since, sacrificing the holidays with their families and loved ones. In our last email, we called out for supporters to mobilise outside Mold Crown Court on the 6th January to attend the plea hearing of the #Teledyne4, where they have another opportunity to apply for bail. However, there is also a bail hearing listed for one of the activists on the 5th January at the same court. We expect that the courts will merge both hearings into one on the 6th January, but we can not confirm yet if there will be another hearing on the 5th January. Please follow our social media (Twitter: @pal_action) for up to date information.

Either way, please get ready to mobilise your friends and families to gather outside Mold Crown Court, County Civic Centre, Mold CH7 1AE from 9.30AM on the 6th January — and watch out for any updates on support needed on the 5th January

Balfour 2

To commemorate 105 years since the Balfour declaration, two activists defaced Balfour’s statue in the private members lobby of the House of Commons, before gluing onto the plinth and explaining: “105 years ago Balfour gave away the land of Palestine, a land that wasn’t his to give”

The action exposed British complicity with the colonisation of Palestine and forced the issue into British mainstream media. Now, the two are possibly the first to be charged with “criminal damage to a memorial” under the new Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill.

Support the two activists on 4th January from 9.30AM outside Southwark Crown Court, 1 English Grounds, London SE1 2HU

Kingsway 4

6 days after the assassination of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, 4 activists took action to shut down the London HQ of Israel’s largest arms firm. They successfully disrupted Elbit’s criminals operations and contributed towards Elbit abandoning their swanky London offices.

Now, they’ll be facing trial, where they’ll battle charges of “criminal damage” for taking action against a firm who commits criminal damage and murder in Palestine on a near daily basis.

Support the activists and mobilise from 9.30AM on the 10th, 11th and 13th January outside Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, 51 Holloway Rd, London N7 8JA

Leicester 5

Last year, 6 activists were arrested close to Elbit’s Leicester factory, UAV Tactical Systems. Subsequently, 5 were charged with possession of items to commit criminal damage.

They’ll be battling their charges when they face trial on the 10th-12th January.

Mobilise outside Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, 9 North St, Wolverhampton WV1 1RE from 9.30AM each day of the trial, 

Ferranti 2

In February 2021, Palestine Action teamed up with XR North to take down Elbit’s factory in Oldham. Eight activists took to the site to lock down the gates and climb on top of their overhang. The two who scaled on top of the overhang proceeded to smash the windows. In all, the factory was severely disrupted and less than one year later, it was announced that Elbit were packing their bags and leaving Oldham.

Although a huge victory was achieved, the state are still adamant are trying to convict activists who contributed to the success. The two activists will battle Elbit and the state in the Crown Court, to prove to a jury that Elbit is guilty, they are not.

This will be our second case to go to the Crown Court. The first one resulted in a unanimous not guilty jury verdict. There is no doubt that Elbit are the state will be becoming increasingly desperate to convict in the Crown Court. Mobilise on mass from 9.30AM on every day of the trial to show that we are also doubling our efforts in support for the activists who #ShutElbitDown.

The trial will be taking place from the 17th January (scheduled to last 4 days) at Manchester Crown Court, Minshull St, Manchester, M1 3FS

A hearing for legal arguments will be taking place on the 13th January ahead of the trial.

Kingsway 2

Activists took action against Elbit’s former London headquarters, leading to its permanent closure. The trial began last year but was interrupted due to technicalities. Support the activists once the trial resumes.

Mobilise from 9.30AM on 24th and 25th January 2023 outside Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, 51 Holloway Rd, London, N7 8JA