HUNDREDS of protesters gathered outside Woolwich Crown Court against the “completely unjust” trial of four Palestine Action activists who broke into the British factory of Israel-based arms firm Elbit Systems.

A judged ruled today that the activists would be sentenced for carrying out an “act of terrorism,” confirming his prior decision in a pre-trial hearing that the Elbit raid had a “terrorist connection.”

His decision to rule on the raid as an act of terror will mean tougher sentences on the activists.

In their raid on Elbit Systems in August 2024, the four activists used sledge hammers and crowbars to smash computers, drones, and other equipment which they said stopped the Israeli army from using them in its genocidal assault on Gaza.

The action, which left one police officer with a fractured spine and caused £1.2 million in damage according to the arms manufacturer, was one of the triggers for the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

But the ban was ruled unlawful by the High Court in February this year and will receive a final decision on Monday, once Court of Appeal judges decide whether to uphold the High Court ruling.

Celebrities including singer Charlotte Church and comedian Steve Coogan joined campaigners calling for the terror link to be dropped at the activists’ sentencing.

Their efforts included a failed attempt to have the judge removed from the case, a “bias” complaint to the professional regulator, and an open letter.

Charlotte Head, 23, Samuel Corner, 30, Leona Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21, were in an old prison van which crashed into the Elbit Systems site near Bristol in the early hours of August 6 2024.

Mr Corner hit sergeant Kate Evans on the back twice with a sledgehammer while police and Elbit security attempted to stop their action.

The four defendants spent about 18 months in custody after the raid. They were freed on bail in February, but returned to prison after being found guilty of criminal damage by a jury in early May.

On Friday, Mr Justice Johnson ruled that he would pass sentence on a criminal damage charge on the basis that the crime was carried out with a “terrorist connection,” adding the raid had the intention of stopping Elbit weapons and technology being used in Gaza, rather than attempting to influence policies of the Israeli government itself.

But he found that the group had caused serious damage and was attempting to “shut down” Elbit or influence the British government into blocking the company’s operations in this country.

He said all the defendants were “well aware of the underlying sentiment and aims and strategies of Palestine Action.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP joined around 500 protesters in support of the Palestine Action defendants, including 21-year-old Fatema Rajwani.

Prior to the judge’s decision to rule the raid as an “act of terror,” Mr McDonnell said Ms Rajwani “has served her time and now she’s being sentenced again.

“The worry I’ve got is because the government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation — I voted against that — she will now be possibly sentenced on terrorist charges.

“I think that’s unjust. By introducing this terrorist element retrospectively, it’s completely unjust. And I think, actually, if a jury had heard that, I think they’d be free now. So I’m actually astounded that this has happened. I’m very angry about it as well.

“That’s why they should be released today. There’s a debate to be had about whether it was a crime as well, because they believed that they were trying to prevent the further killing of Palestinian children.”

At least 72 people were arrested for holding signs supporting the group at the demonstration outside the court, ahead of a Court of Appeal ruling on Monday which will decide whether Palestine Action will continue to be banned under terror legislation.

They stood outside the court banging drums and chanting through megaphones with Palestine flags being waved.

Slogans of “Free Palestine” and “Direct Action Saves Lives” could be heard, as well as “Direct Action is not Terrorism.”

A Defend our Juries spokesperson said: “Hundreds of people are willing to be arrested as terrorists to highlight that what is happening to the four young people being sentenced today should absolutely not be happening in a British court of law.

“Saving lives is not terrorism, and the people taking action today, along with leading lawyers, celebrities, teachers and health workers are saying it is dangerous for everyone if the judges are allowed to misuse the law in this way.”