Palestine Action activists plead not guilty over raid on Israeli defence firm's UK base Palestine Action activists accused of storming an Israeli defence firm’s UK base have entered not guilty at the Old Bailey, just before a ceasefire in Gaza is due to take effect.
One of the group, Samuel Corner, is accused of attacking two police officers and a security guard with a sledgehammer during the 3.30am raid on August 6 last year.
The hearing came ahead of a planned ceasefire in Gaza, which has now been agreed with the Israeli Security Cabinet and is due to come into effect on Sunday.
Activists were allegedly armed with sledgehammers and whips when they smashed through the front gates of Elbit Systems base near Patchway, Bristol with a re-purposed prison van, it is said.
Ahead of Friday’s hearing, around fifty of the defendant’s supporters staged at protest outside the central London courthouse, calling for “Free Palestine“.
