Palestine Action Ends 73-Day Hunger Strike in UK Prisons

**Palestine Action** is a direct action movement founded in 2020 with the goal of dismantling Israel’s military-industrial complex by targeting companies that profit from the Israeli occupation and alleged apartheid regime. The group employs disruptive tactics aimed at halting arms trade and business operations linked to Israel’s military activities, particularly focusing on Elbit Systems, a major Israeli weapons manufacturer. Palestine Action organizes workshops and training seminars to build a grassroots movement committed to these objectives[1]. The organization has engaged in high-profile direct actions including property damage and business disruptions, which have drawn significant legal and political attention. A notable incident occurred in June 2025 when members sprayed red paint on two RAF aircraft at Brize Norton airbase in the UK, leading to criminal charges and sparking government action[2][4]. Subsequently, the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025 under anti-terrorism laws, citing coordinated criminal activities against defense firms. This proscription marked a controversial shift in legal policy, as Palestine Action’s activities are primarily protests and property damage targeting military-related infrastructure rather than violent acts against people[2][4]. The proscription has been challenged legally and criticized by human rights advocates and UN experts, who warn that labeling peaceful political protest as terrorism risks undermining civil liberties such as freedom of expression and assembly. UN experts specifically urged the UK not to misuse terrorism legislation against Palestine Action, emphasizing the potential chilling effect on human rights advocacy[5]. Palestine Action remains active despite legal pressures, continuing its campaign against companies involved in arms manufacturing and export to Israel. Its combination of grassroots mobilization, direct action, and confrontations with state authorities makes it a significant and contentious player in the intersection of activism, business disruption, and international human rights debate[1][2][5].

**Elbit Systems UK Limited** is a prominent UK-based subsidiary of Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd, specializing in defence, technology, and aerospace solutions for military and civilian applications.[1][2][3][4] Incorporated on September 24, 2004, as a holding company, it oversees six subsidiaries across ten sites nationwide, employing 501-1000 people in high-tech manufacturing, electronics, software engineering, and systems integration, while sustaining a similar number of supply chain jobs.[1][2][5] Elbit's UK presence traces back to 1995, when its parent acquired Alvis UAV Engines Limited—a pioneer in Wankel engines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), originally developed from motorcycle tech by engineer David Garside.[4] This laid the groundwork for expansion, including the 2004 formation amid a major tender win with Thales Group for the British Army's Watchkeeper UAV program.[1][4] Other landmark projects include the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS)—a £500 million, 18-year contract awarded in 2016 via a joint venture with Kellogg, Brown & Root—the MORPHEUS Battle Management Application, and Joint Fires Synthetic Training system.[1][4] Key achievements highlight Elbit Systems UK's role as a trusted NATO and Five Eyes supplier, delivering agile, cost-effective airborne, land, naval, cyber systems, and geospatial tech like GIS, earth observation, GNSS, sensors, and emerging frontiers.[1][2] Its precision engineering bridges capability gaps, powering UK sovereignty in defence.[3] Today, headquartered at 77 Kingsway, London (with Bristol operations), the active private limited company focuses on head office activities (SIC 70100) and defence (SIC 84220).[1][5] Latest accounts to December 31, 2024, underscore financial stability, positioning it as a vital player in global defence innovation—employing cutting-edg

**Prisoners for Palestine** is a prisoner-led collective in the UK that represents individuals detained on charges linked to Palestinian liberation efforts, coordinating resistance and solidarity campaigns from inside and outside prison walls.[1][2] Formed to combat the isolation imposed by the prison system, the group emerged amid heightened UK crackdowns on pro-Palestine activism, particularly following direct actions against arms manufacturers like Elbit Systems. It organizes mobilizations, political education, urgent campaigns amplifying prisoner demands, and international networks to support those facing sentences for Palestine-related protests. The collective links its struggle to broader goals of prison abolition and Palestinian liberation, framing incarceration as an extension of colonial repression.[1][2] A pivotal moment came with the **2025 hunger strike**, launched on November 2 by eight prisoners on remand for alleged disruptions at Elbit's Filton site and RAF Brize Norton—actions claimed by Palestine Action, later proscribed as a terrorist group under new legislation. Dubbed the largest UK prison hunger strike since 1981's Irish protests, it demanded an end to censorship, immediate bail, fair trials with disclosed documents, deproscription of Palestine Action, and closure of UK Elbit sites.[4][5][6] Recent updates highlight strikers nearing critical health risks, drawing global support from authors, scholars, health workers, and South African groups, alongside statements from Palestinian prisoners praising the solidarity.[2][3] Key achievements include sustaining visibility for hunger strikers, fostering transatlantic networks against repression, and spotlighting corporate complicity in arms trade—resonating in business-tech circles where Elbit's UK operations fuel debates on defense contracting ethics. As of early 2026, the strike persists amid alarms over detainee treatment, positioning Prisoners for Palestine as a defiant hub in the pro-Palestine movement's clash with state power.[2][5] This tech-adjacent saga underscores how protest tactics disrupt supply chains, challenging investors and firms entangle

## The British Government: An Overview The British government, officially known as His Majesty's Government (HM Government), is the central executive authority of the United Kingdom. It is currently led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office on 5 July 2024, succeeding a Conservative government and marking a shift to Labour leadership[1][2]. ### History and Structure The British government is rooted in a long-standing parliamentary system, with a history dating back to the Magna Carta in 1215. It operates under an uncodified constitution, where executive power is formally vested in the monarch but exercised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Cabinet consists of senior ministers, each responsible for a government department, such as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary[1][2]. ### Key Achievements Historically, the British government has been instrumental in shaping global politics, particularly in the areas of colonial expansion, international relations, and economic policy. Recent initiatives include the Strategic Defence Review 2025, aimed at enhancing national security and defense capabilities[3]. Additionally, the government has set ambitious missions for economic growth, healthcare reform, and environmental sustainability[4]. ### Current Status As of 2025, the Labour government is focused on delivering significant reforms and achieving its long-term missions. This includes major civil service reforms, such as reducing positions in the Cabinet Office[6]. The government is also navigating complex global challenges, including economic recovery and international relations. ### Notable Aspects The British government is known for its robust parliamentary system, where ministers are accountable to the House of Commons. The government's work is often referred to by metonyms like "Westminster" or "Whitehall," reflecting its central London location[1]. The government's Analysis Function plays a crucial role in informing policy decisions through advanced data analysis[5]. Overall, the British government continues to evolve, balancing tradition with modern challenges in business and technology.