UK

Defend the Filton 18!

JUNE 7, 2025

Tom London reports on the activists awaiting trial for trying to stop the flow of arms to Israel.

On 6th August 2024, six people from a group called Palestine Action gained entry into a factory owned by Elbit Systems UK in Filton on the outskirts of Bristol. Elbit Systems UK is a subsidiary of the largest manufacturer of arms for the Israeli military.

Elbit produces 85% of the Israel Defence Force’s (IDF) land-based equipment, and 85% of its drones, and advertises its products as “battle-tested” in Gaza and the West Bank.

Inside the factory, the six set about damaging equipment and weapons. These included a number of quadcopter drones. 

Drones are now a central part of modern warfare. They have the huge advantage that the enemy can be killed while your own soldiers are out of harm’s way. 

Israel claims to be fighting a war against Hamas in Gaza but, in reality, there is no war in Gaza. Israel is carrying out a genocide. At least 70% of those killed are women and children.

The mere sound of drones terrorises the inhabitants of Gaza who have had their homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure destroyed and are being starved to death.

Drones can carry weapons. Elbit’s website announces that a particular drone is “designed to enhance infantry squad lethality, beyond its detection and engagement range with stand-off warfare capabilities. [It] enables fast and accurate engagement against a low signature enemy.”

 Low signature enemy? I think they mean killing people who are not militarily equipped to defend themselves. Like, civilians in a genocide.

The only word that captures the moral depravity of carrying out a genocide is “evil”. Quadcopter drones killing civilians is evil.

Incredibly, drones have been used in Gaza for something which even amidst all this evil, stands out. Israel has used drones to mimic the sound of babies crying and of women screaming with the aim of luring Palestinians into the open where they can be shot.

The six activists were arrested inside the Elbit factory. Later twelve others were arrested for allegedly being involved. They are known as the Filton 18.

The police have treated this as a case of terrorism rather than a case of criminal damage. All 18 of those arrested have pleaded not guilty. They have been denied bail, which would not generally be the case if there was not the allegation that this was terrorism-related. Four UN experts have written to the relevant authorities arguing that the police are misusing counter-terrorism measures.

Three trial dates have been set – November 2025, May 2026, June 2026. If any of the Filton 18 are found not guilty at trial, they will still have spent a long time in prison.

Until the last few years, the Filton 18 could have been confident that they would get the chance to tell the jury the reasons for their actions. 

However, in recent years the law has been changed – by a combination of Parliament and judges – to remove the right of defendants to explain to juries their motivations. This change followed numerous acquittals of climate protestors. Juries must have decided in many cases that “you may be technically guilty, but we will not convict you because we respect your motive.” Ministers and judges were furious at the actions of these juries.

A spokesperson for Palestine Action has said – absolutely correctly in law – that the Filton 18, “were only trying to do what our government, under international law, [should have done but] has totally failed to do – to stop the flow of arms to Israel being used to commit a genocide.”

On 30th June, it is expected that the court will rule on whether the Filton 18 can tell the jury at their trials why they damaged the quadcopter drones and the other weapons and equipment. 

Defend Our Juries are a group campaigning to allow defendants to always have the opportunity to explain their actions when their liberty is at stake, including by explaining their motivations and beliefs. They are organising an exhibition and a show of solidarity with the Filton 18 on 30th June at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court. If you are interested in being involved, you can contact them on info@defendourjuries.org

Tom London is an activist based in north London.

On 17th June, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign is organising three regional protests at sites supplying Israel’s F-35 fighter jets in Havant, Rochester and Sheffield. More details here.

Main image: c/o Labour Hub