Twelve Palestine Action activists granted bail
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
12 activists linked to the Palestine Action group, including four former hunger strikers—Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Qesser Zuhrah, and Heba Muraisi—have been released on bail after being detained in connection with a raid on an Israel-linked defense firm in England. The activists were among 12 held on remand following the August 6, 2024, raid on Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol. Their release came as tears of joy filled London’s Central Criminal Court, with supporters celebrating this significant milestone.
The group, also including Zara Farooque, Salaam Mahmood, Moiz Ibrahim, Finn Collins, Hannah Davidson, Harland (Harley) Archer, Louie Adams, and Liam Mullany, had been held since the raid. The Filton 24 Defence Committee described their release as a “monumental victory,” highlighting the activists’ resilience despite efforts to break them. This marks the latest development in a broader legal battle involving 24 defendants charged in connection with the raid.
Earlier, six of the activists were acquitted of aggravated burglary at London’s Woolwich Crown Court, while charges of criminal damage remained unresolved. By Friday’s release, 23 out of the 24 defendants had been granted bail, leaving only Samuel Corner in custody due to an additional charge of allegedly hitting a police sergeant with a sledgehammer. The Filton 24 Defence Committee has called for his immediate release, arguing that he should be granted bail given his prolonged detention without conviction.
The case gained further significance after the British High Court ruled that the government’s ban on Palestine Action as a “terror group” was unlawful and disproportionate. This ruling followed years of legal battles and advocacy by the activists and their supporters. The Home Secretary expressed disappointment over the court’s decision and indicated plans to appeal it in the Court of Appeal.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-Palestine activists and British authorities, as well as the broader implications of state surveillance and counter-terrorism measures. The activists’ release underscores the importance of judicial oversight and the fight against disproportionate legal actions targeting peaceful dissenters. For readers interested in global politics and human rights, this story sheds light on the challenges faced by activists advocating for Palestinian justice.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026