Known by the name „Ulm Five“, the activists allegedly entered the factory on the 8 September 2025 by smashing a glass facade and subsequently destroyed office equipment, including computers, screens and telephones.
Shortly after, the five were arrested and have since been held in pretrial detention in different prisons across southern Germany.
(April 28, 2026)
In the early hours of Sept. 8, 2025, a group of activists wearing black hoodies that bore the red and white logo of Palestine Action broke into the offices of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in Ulm, southern Germany.
Once inside the compound, according to prosecutors, they damaged and partly destroyed furniture, windows, and technical equipment with axes; sprayed slogans on the walls; lit pyrotechnics; and chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “Germany finances, Israel bombs.” As visible from the activists’ own filming of the break-in, no one was harmed during the action. They remained on site and called the police, who later detained them.
Since their arrest, the five activists — Daniel Tatlow-Devally (an Irish citizen), Leandra Rollo (a Spanish citizen), Crow Tricks and Zo Hailu (British citizens), and Vi Kovarbasic (a German citizen) — have been held in pre-trial detention in separate prisons across southern Germany.
The proscription made membership of or support for Palestine Action illegal, and more than 2,000 people have been arrested at demonstrations in the months since it came into force.
Some 694 of the protesters have been charged with allegedly showing support for the group, which can lead to up to six months in jail.
(February 13, 2026)
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, was urged to respect the court’s decision after the three judges said the ban, introduced by her predecessor Yvette Cooper, impinged on the right to protest and should be quashed.
However, the fate of more than 2,500 people, arrested for supporting Palestine Action since proscription, remained uncertain after Mahmood said she would appeal against the ban.
Additionally, the three judges, led by the president of the king’s bench division, Dame Victoria Sharp, said the banning order would not be quashed until both sides had been allowed to make representations.
(January 14, 2026)
With this victory it has never been clearer that Elbit’s days in Britain are numbered.
In addition to this key demand being met, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the various victories achieved across the duration of the hunger strike:
– In the past few weeks alone, hundreds of people have signed up to take action against the genocidal military-industrial complex, more than the amount of people who took action with Palestine Action over its 5 year campaign. During that 5 year campaign, 4 Israeli weapons factories were shut down. Elbit Systems is living on stolen time – we will see it shut down for good, not because of the government, but because of the people.
– Heba Muraisi’s transfer to HMP Bronzefield has been accepted by HMP New Hall, where she is currently held in intentional isolation from her family and friends.
– T. Hoxha has been offered a meeting with the head of JEXU (Joint Extremism Unit) at her prison, the very same organisation that orchestrates the prisoners’ treatment as ‘terrorists’.
– Despite the cruel and constant medical neglect of the hunger strikers; including not logging food refusal, refusal of ambulances in life threatening emergencies, and degrading treatment in hospital; the national heads of prison healthcare have met with us at the behest of the Ministry of Justice.
– During the hunger strike, some of the prisoners started receiving bulk packages of witheld mail, and in one case received an apology from prison staff for a letter that was delayed by 6 months. Books on topics of Gaza and feminism have also been given after months of waiting.
– In pursuit of a fair trial, the hunger strikers demanded disclosure of export licenses for the last 5 years from Elbit Systems. After repeated requests, this information was disclosed to an independent researcher by the Department of Trade during the hunger strike.
Three British activists jailed for alleged involvement with the banned anti-genocide group Palestine Action ended their monthslong hunger strike late Wednesday after the UK government rejected a $2.7 billion contract for a subsidiary of Israel’s largest weapons maker, Elbit Systems.
Prisoners for Palestine (P4P), which represents the hunger strikers, said that Hamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, and Lewie Chiaramello would accept food again. Muraisi hadn’t eaten in 73 days, while Ahmed refused food for 66 days and Chiaramello, who has Type 1 diabetes, fasted every other day for 44 days.
Heba Muraisi
Kamran Ahmed
The Suffragettes, despite being force-fed and labelled as terrorists, are today celebrated as heroes and freedom fighters. The Long Kesh prisoners, despite the smears they faced, are now seen as a vital part of the peace achieved under the Good Friday Agreement. The Guantánamo Bay prisoners, despite their inhumane treatment and public consent for torture, remained untried and were largely released without conviction.
Just as they were all vindicated, history will too vindicate the Palestine Action prisoners who sought to stop the slaughter of innocent people, against the wishes and interests of the British government.
(…)
Signatories:
Shadi Zayed Saleh Odeh, Palestine
Mahmoud Radwan, Palestine
Othman Bilal, Palestine
Mahmoud Sidqi Suleiman Radwan, Palestine
Loay Odeh, Palestine
Tommy McKearney, Ireland
Laurence McKeown, Ireland
Tom McFeely, Ireland
John Nixon, Ireland
Mansoor Adayfi (GTMO441), Guantanamo
Lakhdar Boumediene, Guantanamo
Samir Naji Moqbel, Guantanamo
Moath Al-Alwi, Guantanamo
Khalid Qassim, Guantanamo
Ahmed Rabbani, Guantanamo
Sharqawi Al-Hajj, Guantanamo
Saeed Sarim, Guantanamo
Mahmoud Al Mujahid, Guantanamo
Hussein Al-Marfadi, Guantanamo
Osama Abu Kabir, Guantanamo
Abdul Halim Siddiqui, Guantanamo
Ahmed Adnan Ahjam, Guantanamo
Abdel Malik Al Rahabi, Guantanamo
Ahmed Elrashidi, Guantanamo
(January 8, 2026)
Heba Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed, Palestine Action-linked British activists on the brink of death, are determined to keep up their prison hunger strike until their demands are met, their friends and relatives have told Al Jazeera.
They have refused food for 67 and 60 days, respectively, as part of a rolling protest that began in November. Five of the eight individuals who have participated overall have ended their hunger strikes over health fears.
Heba Muraisi
Teuta Hoxha
Kamran Ahmed
Lewie Chiaramello
The experts have also expressed serious concern as to the overbreadth of the definition of terrorism under UK law, the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, and the subsequent mass arrests and criminal charges, including terrorism-related offenses, brought against individuals for alleged support for Palestine Action.
“These hunger strikes must be understood within the broader context of restrictions on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK,” the experts said, noting that the detainees are held in connection with protest-related activity.
They urged the United Kingdom to immediately guarantee appropriate healthcare for all hunger strikers, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action to address not only the claims of the protestors, but also underlying rights violations, and an end to the repression of Palestine activism.
“Preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable. The State bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains,” the experts said. “Urgent action is required now.”
The experts stand ready to engage constructively with the UK Government and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
*The experts:
– Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
– Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
– Cecilia M. Bailliet, the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity
– George Katrougalos, the Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
– Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
– Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
– Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967
A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said:
“The remaining four will continue to refuse food on the basis of the five demands, as well as specifying their demands to include the end of all non association orders between prisoners; Heba’s transfer back to HMP Bronzefield; and the same access to all courses and activities as sentenced prisoners. Non association orders are used to further isolate prisoners from each other despite being in the same prison; just as Heba has been moved across the country, away from her family and friends in London. Due to the extended period of time on remand, well over the usual six month legal limit, it is only fair that the prisoners are able to access the same activities as everyone else”
he Prisoners for Palestine protest group confirmed the climate activist had been arrested at a demonstration in support of the Palestine Action members on hunger strike in prison.
In a video shared by the group, Thunberg, 22, can be seen holding a sign reading “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide” at a demonstration outside the central London offices of Aspen Insurance.
Images of the arrest show Thunberg seated on the ground at the protest holding a sign that reads, “I support Palestine Action prisoners” and “I oppose genocide.”
Police confronted her as she joined demonstrators outside of a building used by Aspen Insurance, which protesters said they targeted because it provides services to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Protesters also sprayed red paint on the building’s facade as part of their demonstration.
UK-based campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said Thunberg, 22, was earlier arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding a sign that said “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide”. The British government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
City of London Police said Thunberg had been bailed until March.
(December 16, 2025)
Qesser Zuhrah
Amu Gib
Heba Muraisi
Jon Cink
Teuta Hoxha
Kamran Ahmed
Lewie Chiaramello
In the telephone interview, he said: “But I’m looking at the bigger picture of perhaps we can relieve oppression abroad and relieve the situations for my codefendants. Yes, I’m scared of passing away. Yes, this may have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk versus reward. I see it as worthwhile.”
He added that he had become a “shell” of himself because he rejects food and drinks only water with salt.
He said his speech has become slurred, he has been getting regular chest pains to the point like he feels he is “getting Tasered” and his body has been shaking. He added that a nurse told him she was concerned that he would not wake up when he went to sleep.
An imprisoned Palestine Action activist who has been on hunger strike for 42 days has said he fears dying but believes the protest is worthwhile, according to an interview with The Sunday Times.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, spoke by telephone from HMP Pentonville in north London, where he is being held on remand. He is one of six Palestine Action activists refusing food while facing charges they deny, linked to alleged break-ins and criminal damage carried out before the group was banned under UK terrorism legislation.
We Urgently Need Your Help to Finish and Distribute the Film ‚OPERATION RECOMPLY’ — Otherwise Known as ‚The Filton 24 Film‘
OPERATION RE-COMPLY is the documentary about activists currently imprisoned on remand (held without trial), for taking direct action to dismantle weapons at Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms factory in Bristol, as part of the now-proscribed group Palestine Action. This film tells the story of their families, their fight for justice, and the movement that‘s grown with them.
After 16 months in prison, six of the Filton 24 are finally going on trial, while others may have to wait two years before finally having their day in court.
(…)
By donating, you’re not just funding a film—you’re supporting a project that will raise awareness of the rising authoritarianism, the fight against arbitrary detention of political prisoners, and the fight for Palestinian rights. The more we raise, the bigger the release can be.
Thank you for your support. Let’s get this film into the world together.
(November 28, 2025)
Hoxha is one of the ‘Filton 24’ – 24 people currently held on remand in connection with an action at an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, Gloucestershire, in August 2024. She has been imprisoned without trial since November 2024.
This is Hoxha’s second hunger strike, after previously refusing food starting in August this year. She told Novara Media in September that she was being “punished retrospectively” for the proscription of Palestine Action under UK terror law.
Hoxha was moved to HMP Peterborough from HMP Bronzefield on the day that MPs decided to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act, and said that her treatment had worsened after the proscription. The English Literature graduate described being “called a terrorist” and “told that I’m part of a terrorist group” by prison staff, along with having her mail withheld and her job in the prison library taken away.
A portion of Tuesday’s hearing was held in closed session to allow the government to present material it says cannot be disclosed on national security grounds.
During these closed proceedings, known as closed material procedures (CMP), Ammori and her legal team replaced by a special advocate appointed by Ammori.
However, the special advocate is not permitted to share the government’s submissions with Ammori or her lawyers.
It means that if Ammori loses her case based on the secret evidence, neither she nor her team will know what the government argued against her or Palestine Action.
In written submissions, he highlighted a September 2024 report from the National Police Coordination Centre that came after alleged terrorism incidents. The report concluded that Palestine Action was “a risk to UK businesses and legitimate enterprises nationwide” and engaged as a whole in “non-violent direct action”.
Another report from the centre in December last year said incidents in which violence had been used were “not the norm for PA (Palestine Action) action, and any harm or injuries historically are assessed to be the result of unintentional or misjudged action through trying to evade capture”.
Activists from the group painted “Gaza is not for sale” and dug up parts of the green at Mr Trump’s golf course in Scotland in March 2025, with the president writing on social media that the prime minister had assured him that “they caught the terrorists” involved.
The group was proscribed as a terror organisation in an unusual move four months later, after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two military planes with red paint.
Legal action by Huda Ammori, the cofounder of Palestine Action, has begun in London’s High Court against the decision by the United Kingdom government to designate the activist group as a terrorist organisation.
The interior ministry, or Home Office, proscribed the pro-Palestinian group in July, days after activists protesting against Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza broke into an air force base in southern England.
Aberystwyth one of 10 UK locations to join Palestine Action protestCambrian News, 18 November 25
Devon and Cornwall Police overwhelmed by the number of protesters defying ban on Palestine ActionCobblestone Media, 18 November 25
‘Increased’ police presence at protest to lift ban on Palestine ActionGloucestershire Live, 17 November 25
Arrests at Palestine Action protest in LeedsBBC – West Yorkshire, 18 November 25
Nine arrests made at pro-Palestine Action protestBBC – Northamptonshire, 18 November 25
Hunger strike continues as protests planned in Aberystwyth and CardiffPembrokeshire Herald, 17 November 25
Shortly after midnight on June 20, activists from Palestine Action cut through the outer fence of Brize Norton and sped across the tarmac on electric scooters.
Undetected by guards, they proceeded to spray red paint into the turbines of two Voyager aircraft, used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) for air-to-air refueling and strategic air transport missions. Crowbars were also reportedly used.
Three days later, Britain’s home secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament that she had decided to proscribe Palestine Action under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act.