f Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in August 2024 and causing more than £1m in damage. They face charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. The six on trial were arrested at the scene on 6 August 2024. They have been held in custody for over a year, exceeding the UK’s usual six-month pre-trial detention limit, a point that campaigners say highlights unprecedented pressure placed on pro-Palestine demonstrations. Who is on trial? According to the “Free the Filton24” support group, the defendants are: Zoe Rogers , Fatema Zainab (Ray) Rajwani , Jordan Devlin , Samuel Corner , Charlotte “Lottie” Head , and an individual identified publicly only as “Ellie” . Eighteen other Palestine Action members have been arrested in connection with the Filton incident in subsequent police raids, and may face trial later. Why the case matters The prosecution comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government moved in July to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 – a decision that made membership or support for the group punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The government said the group posed a national security threat and had carried out “aggressive” and “intimidatory” actions targeting businesses and public infrastructure. Palestine Action denies this, arguing its actions are non-lethal civil resistance aimed at disrupting UK participation in Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Supporters say the law is being misused The trial comes as thousands across the UK have demonstrated for the group’s release. More than 500 people were arrested at London protests on 4 October for allegedly supporting a proscribed organisation. Rights groups have condemned the government’s decision. UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that proscribing a group that has not killed or injured anyone may be a “misuse” of counterterrorism law. Amnesty International UK called the measure “disturbing”, urging the government to focus instead on preventing UK involvement in violations in Gaza. Conditions in detention Nearly all Filton24 defendants have been denied bail. Several have begun a hunger strike , alleging mistreatment in prison, including confiscation of belongings, restricted visits, and being labelled “terrorists” by staff. Those on hunger strike include Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Kamran Ahmed, Teuta Hoxha , and Qesser Zurah . Background: What happened in Filton? On 6 August 2024, Palestine Action members entered Elbit’s Bristol site and allegedly destroyed quadcopter drones the group claims are used by the Israeli military in Gaza. Various police raids followed, with arrests in August, November 2024, and June 2025, bringing the total number of detainees to 24. What else has Palestine Action done? Before its proscription, the group carried out a series of high-profile actions, including: Targeting Elbit’s factories in Oldham, Leicester and Glasgow Spraying red paint on the BBC’s London headquarters in 2023 Blocking facilities linked to Lockheed Martin and Leonardo Entering RAF Brize Norton in June 2025 and spraying paint on two aircraft, causing up to £30m in damage, according to police estimates That incident prompted the July 2025 parliamentary vote to ban the organisation. What comes next? The trial of the six defendants at Woolwich is expected to set the tone for future prosecutions of remaining Filton24 members. Campaigners say the case will be a key test of how far the UK government is willing to go in policing pro-Palestinian activism.