TWO pro-Palestinian activists who occupied and damaged the London headquarters of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems have been released by police without charge, despite staging their protest in public view in the heart of the capital.

The pair are among dozens of Palestine Action supporters who have been released without charge after carrying out operations against Elbit, triggering accusations that the company fears what information about its activities might be publicly revealed if protesters’ cases came to court.

In Britain, Elbit makes components for drones that are supplied to the Israeli military and have been used in attacks on Gaza.

On Friday, two Palestine Action activists scaled the walls of the Elbit System offices in Kingsway, a main street in Holborn, central London, at 10am in full view of the public.

They sprayed the building with red paint and slogans and took over the entrance to the building.

Palestine Action told the Morning Star: “This was in central London, in front of everyone.

“They were there for seven hours.  They were arrested, held for nine hours, then released. There were no charges and they were released with no bail conditions at all.

“We are assuming this is Elbit hiding from court as usual. They do not want to take a case to court because they are scared. They are hiding things they do not want people to know.”

Palestine Action said that during previous occupations of Elbit factories, activists had seen packing cases addressed to at least one country for which they believe Elbit has no arms export licence.

“Certainly, from people going into their factories, we know there is stuff going to places for which they do not have licences,” said Palestine Action.

Two Palestine Action activists charged with offences after occupying and damaging one of Elbit’s five factories in this country appeared in court earlier this year, but their cases were adjourned until October 2022.

Elbit, which is Israel’s biggest arms manufacturer, has factories in Oldham, Birmingham, Derbyshire, Kent and Leicester.

Regular protests are staged on Tuesday afternoons outside the Oldham factory.

Elbit Systems was invited to comment.