Four Activists on Trial After Occupation of Israeli Weapons Factory in Newcastle

Oct 3, 2023

Images and videos from the action are free to use and reproduce: bit.ly/Nakba75Media

Four people are due to go on trial on October 3rd at Newcastle Crown Court after an occupation of an Israeli owned factory in May 2023. Two of the activists, who scaled the roof and occupied the site are being charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage over £60K. The other two are being charged in connection to the action for conspiracy to commit criminal damage over £60K.

The factory, which belongs to Pearson Engineering ltd, was occupied by activists for two days after first scaling the factory early Monday morning [1] [2]. In that time the activists dismantled the site ensuring that the Israeli government would not be able to operate its weapons manufacturing from Newcastle for some time after the action.

Of the four charged, three were remanded after being arrested – two for around 3 weeks – another for over 50 days[3]. When one activist was granted bail, the CPS proceeded to immediately appeal, ensuring they would remain in remand. This targeted cruelty by the British state reflected similar treatment of protestors and activists at the Palestine Action siege, which was ongoing at the time.

The factory and the brand Pearson Engineering were purchased by Rafael in September 2022 [4] as part of a ‘strategic expansion’ into Britain by the weapons company, which is wholly owned by the Israeli state. The Pearson factory itself specialises in producing armoured military vehicles, and is now under significant control of the Israeli Ministry of Finance [5].

Pearson has long been crown complicit, receiving a Queen’s award for their work. Their company director, Lord John Matthew Hutton, is a British Labour Party member with long ties to the military industrial complex [6].

Rafael is owned by the Israeli state, providing weaponry to the Israeli military, including guided missiles responsible for massacres of Palestinians in 2014 and 2021 [7]. One such missile struck a school in Rafah in 2014 where 3,200 people were sheltering – killing 12 including 8 children [8]. Their missiles outfit Elbit drones [9] and are marketed as ‘extensively battle-proven by the Israeli Air Force’ [10].

The site was occupied on the 75th anniversary of the Nakba (which translates as ‘The Catastrophe’). Rafael was founded in 1948, when the Nakba began. This event (translated as ‘The Catastrophe’) was the start of an ongoing process of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, in which Britain played a central role.

The trial started today on October 3rd and run for 7 days at Newcastle Quayside Crown Court, THE LAW COURTS, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3LA.

ENDS

Images and videos from the action are free to use and reproduce: bit.ly/Nakba75Media

Palestine Action is a network of groups and individuals established to take direct action against properties owned by Israel’s biggest arms firm Elbit Systems. The mission is to shut Elbit down and end all British complicity in the illegal colonisation of Palestine.

Website: https://palestineaction.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pal_action

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pal_action/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pal_action

NOTES TO EDITORS

[1] https://www.palestineaction.org/rafael-newcastle/

[2] https://www.palestineaction.org/rafael-day2/

[3] https://www.palestineaction.org/remanded-rafael/

[4] https://www.pearson-eng.com/news/rafael-acquires-newcastle-based-pearson-engineering-as-part-of-its-strategic-expansion-in-the-united-kingdom/

[5] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01876136/persons-with-significant-control

[6] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/1M5dzIIW_aGHeVTzTna2VUKgvUk/appointments

[7] https://www.972mag.com/israeli-arms-companies-surveillance-gaza/