UK authorities under fire for supposedly allowing Israeli meddling in a domestic legal matter
In the midst of controversy, the UK government finds itself under the Microscope following claims that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) had directly aided Israeli interference in legal proceedings against British activists supporting Palestine. The controversy stems from the prosecution of the so-called "Filton 18," a group of activists accused of disrupting an Israeli weapons factory in Bristol operated by Elbit Systems, Israel's biggest arms manufacturer.
Evidence obtained via a Freedom of Information (FoI) request suggests that, on 9 September 2024, the AGO shared contact information for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and SO15 counter-terrorism police with the Israeli Embassy in London. The email, titled "CPS/SO15 contact details," was reportedly sent by Nicola Smith, the AGO's Head of International Law and National Security, to Israel's Deputy Ambassador Daniela Grudsky Ekstein just days after a meeting between the two.
This revelation, coupled with the timing, has ignited serious concerns. The correspondence occurred as an investigation was underway into a protest action by Palestine Action in which drones supposedly bound for Israel were said to have been damaged. Ten activists had already been arrested in August under counter-terrorism laws, which were later deemed excessive by multiple human rights organizations and the United Nations. In November, a further eight people were detained under similar legislation. However, no terrorism charges have been brought against any of them, although non-terrorism charges remain pending for several defendants.
Legal experts and observers argue that the AGO's actions may breach the principle of prosecutorial independence and violate democratic norms. "Why, for example, did the AGO provide Israeli officials with contact details for the CPS, an independent body?" questioned Lydia Dagostino, a solicitor acting on behalf of the activists. "What further communication followed and was there influence on prosecutions?"
Palestine Action views the information as proof of political interference. "The Israeli Embassy has attempted to interfere in our cases for years," said a spokesperson for the group. "For the first time, our activists are detained for direct action under counter-terror powers, the CPS pursuing 'terrorism-connected' charges. As this unprecedented escalation of state repression happens, the Israeli Embassy has secured direct communication with the CPS and the 'counter-terror' police responsible.
"Political interference is forbidden in our legal system, and in the Filton 18 case, it has resulted in the most draconian laws being wielded against them. In light of the information uncovered, continuing the prosecution against them is a serious miscarriage of justice. They must be released, and all compromised prosecutions of activists and journalists must be stopped."
The potential breach of UK judicial independence was also highlighted in a November 2024 letter from four United Nations special rapporteurs, who condemned the "apparently unjustified use" of counter-terrorism laws against Palestine solidarity protesters. Those arrested in August 2024 were reportedly held for up to eight days without charge, some without immediate access to legal counsel. The rapporteurs warned about using such legislation in a case which "does not appear to be genuinely 'terrorist' according to international standards."
A heavily redacted account of the August meeting between the AGO and Israeli officials leaves many questions unanswered about the full extent of the collaboration. However, previous disclosures indicate that the Israeli Embassy has previously requested the AGO's intervention in legal cases involving Israeli interests. Despite the CPS's formal assertion of independence, critics argue that back-channel coordination may have compromised that position.
The mother of one of the Filton 18 activists, Clare Rogers, described the revelations as "sickening." Rogers said, "My 21-year-old daughter Zoe has been in prison for eight months without trial and counting. She took action against Elbit because she couldn't sit on her hands and do nothing while her government committed war crimes by supplying arms to Israel."
This latest scandal adds to mounting criticism of the UK's wider complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza. The British government continues to allow arms exports to Israel, while Royal Air Force surveillance flights over Gaza persist, even during ceasefires, a practice that human rights lawyers say may make UK officials complicit in war crimes.
- The latest news in the UK revolves around allegations that the government aided Israeli interference in legal proceedings against British activists supporting Palestine.
- The controversy surrounds the prosecution of the so-called "Filton 18," a group of activists accused of disrupting an Israeli weapons factory in Bristol.
- Evidence shows that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) shared contact information for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and SO15 counter-terrorism police with the Israeli Embassy in London on 9 September 2024.
- The email was reportedly sent by Nicola Smith, the AGO's Head of International Law and National Security, to Israel's Deputy Ambassador Daniela Grudsky Ekstein.
- This revelation occurred as an investigation was underway into a protest action by Palestine Action, where drones supposedly bound for Israel were reportedly damaged.
- Ten activists had already been arrested in August under counter-terrorism laws, which were later deemed excessive by multiple human rights organizations and the United Nations.
- In November, a further eight people were detained under similar legislation.
- However, no terrorism charges have been brought against any of the detainees, although non-terrorism charges remain pending for several defendants.
- Legal experts argue that the AGO's actions may breach prosecutorial independence and violate democratic norms.
- Palestine Action views the information as proof of political interference, stating that it has led to activists being detained under draconian laws.
- The use of counter-terrorism laws against Palestine solidarity protesters was also condemned in a November 2024 letter from four United Nations special rapporteurs.
- Previous disclosures indicate that the Israeli Embassy has previously requested the AGO's intervention in legal cases involving Israeli interests.
- A meeting between the AGO and Israeli officials in August leaves many questions unanswered about the full extent of the collaboration.
- The mother of one of the Filton 18 activists criticized the government, describing the revelations as "sickening."
- The controversy adds to mounting criticism of the UK's wider complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza, including allowing arms exports to Israel and RAF surveillance flights over Gaza during ceasefires.
- This scandal within war-and-conflicts and politics sectors raises concerns about the UK's policy-and-legislation regarding Israeli interference in British proceedings.
- Calls for an independent investigation and the release of the activists have grown, with activists, human rights organizations, and UN officials demanding transparency and the upholding of democratic norms.
