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From Italy to Canada, how the UK’s Palestine Action group went global
Palestine Action’s model of targeting weapons manufacturers linked to Israel has spread from the UK to groups in countries including Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, France and Canada. The article describes how activists have adopted direct action to disrupt arms supply chains, as the British government’s ban on the UK group has brought increased scrutiny.
Palestine Action Italy says it was inspired by a protest at Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory in November 2023, after which the site was shut down; it later staged occupations at Leonardo facilities and built tens of thousands of social media followers. Last week, activists using the Palestine Action Canada name raided and spray-painted a subsidiary of Israeli arms maker Elbit. Other groups use similar tactics, including a flotilla that said it intercepted a ship carrying military cargo bound for a naval air base in Italy.
In short
- Palestine Action’s direct-action model has spread across several countries.
- Groups target arms makers and alleged links to Israel’s supply chain.
- Italy and Canada feature recent actions described in the report.
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The case for
Supporters argue that direct action can draw attention to arms trade links and disrupt supplies when ordinary protest and political pressure have failed to prevent weapons reaching a conflict. They see targeting company premises as a way to hold firms accountable and express solidarity with Palestinians, while accepting that tactics should remain proportionate and avoid harm to people.
The case against
Critics argue that raids, occupations and property damage can endanger workers and the public, undermine the rule of law, and make it harder to distinguish protest from intimidation. They may share concern about arms exports or the conflict, but contend that scrutiny, peaceful protest and lawful political action are more legitimate and effective ways to pursue change.
Explained simply
Palestine Action is a UK-founded activist group that targets companies it says help supply weapons to Israel. Its methods include entering or occupying factories and damaging equipment, with the stated aim of disrupting arms production and deliveries.
The group’s approach has been taken up by activists in several European countries and Canada, sometimes under the same name and sometimes through other organisations. Companies such as Leonardo, an Italian arms manufacturer, and Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company, have been among the targets.
The actions sit within wider protests over Israel’s military campaign and the arms trade. They have drawn attention to how weapons are made and transported, as well as to disputes over protest tactics and the legal consequences activists may face.
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