Palestine Action, a radical pro-Palestinian organization founded in July 2020, has garnered international headlines with its audacious protests. These militant actions serve to hinder the business of firms linked to the evolving Israeli state violence. The coalition’s first target of this kind has been Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer. They have mounted hundreds of demonstrations throughout the UK. Their activities have sparked significant debate regarding civil liberties and the right to protest, especially as they face potential governmental restrictions.
The group formed as a reaction to what they call Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime. Palestine Action is proud of its role in raising awareness on the need to cease international complicity in these acts, focusing actions on companies that profit from conflict. From the beginning, the group’s tactics changed, growing bolder and more confrontational.
Notable Actions and Escalation
Palestine Action’s tactics have ranged from occupations and vandalism to blockades. In 2021, they seized control of an Elbit-run drone factory operated by UAV Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of Elbit. This risky gesture was a key turning point in their campaign. Their actions between 2020 and early 2022 saw them repeatedly occupy and vandalise the Elbit site in Braunstone, Leicestershire. In large part, it was this continued pressure that led to the facility’s eventual closure this January 2022.
In April 2022, Palestine Action escalated its tactics further by blockading another Elbit site in Braunstone, demonstrating their resolve to disrupt operations. Their greatest success came in June 2025 when activists were able to occupy RAF Brize Norton—the UK’s largest airbase. In the case of this particular incident, they sprayed red paint on military aircraft, resulting in millions of pounds worth of damages.
“The real crime here is not red paint being sprayed on these warplanes, but the war crimes that have been enabled with those planes because of the UK government’s complicity in Israel’s genocide.” – Palestine Action
The group’s enthusiasm was infectious. They carried out further occupations at Elbit’s Ferranti facility in Oldham and smashed Goliath terror drones at their Thales UK factory in Glasgow, deploying smoke bombs to cause thousands of pounds worth of destruction. These bold efforts to advance racial justice have garnered nationwide praise and criticism from supporters and detractors alike.
Growing International Presence
In recent months, Palestine Action has taken its campaigns outside the UK. In November 2022, the collective formed an internationally-focused chapter in the U.S. This decision indicated their intention to accelerate the corporate divestment campaign against U.S. companies complicit in Israeli military violence. The activists moved fast and took to the roof of an Elbit plant in Merrimack, New Hampshire. This courageous act led to the arrest of the three activists, who were later released with misdemeanour charges.
This expansion, welcomed as it is, should not overshadow the group’s commitment to global advocacy against complicity in war crimes. Palestine Action is unapologetic for its direct action militancy. They’re asking countries to reconsider how they do business with companies that provide military hardware used to attack civilians in Palestine.
“These aircraft can be used to refuel and have been used to refuel Israeli fighter jets.” – Manaal Siddiqui
Manaal Siddiqui, a spokesperson for Palestine Action, said the government’s response to their protests is disproportionate. As she explains, this reaction is rooted in a guilty conscience. She argues that criminalizing their activities suppresses important protest against an industry that is playing an active role in human rights abuses.
Government Response and Civil Liberties Concerns
While Palestine Action’s actions garnered global attention, they attracted increased governmental scrutiny. Just recently, we learned from intelligence reports that the UK government is discussing plans to criminalize groups such as Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation. Critics say such a move would violate civil liberties and criminalize legitimate protest.
Siddiqui commented on the implications of such policies: “The majority of the proscribed groups are international. The majority of them take actions in very, very different ways. Palestine Action would be a complete outlier. It’s a draconian approach for the government to stifle protests that they just don’t like.”
Activists with Palestine Action think their direct actions are definitely needed. They’re just trying to call attention to what they perceive as systemic injustice. They believe that limiting their ability to protest would represent a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression within the UK.
