• Palestine Action activists defaced Trump Turnberry golf course in Scotland, scaled Big Ben and flew a Palestine flag using a drone over the England v Italy Rugby game.
• But who are Palestine Action and what have they achieved so far?
Saturday, 8 March witnessed two of this year’s most audacious direct actions for Palestine. In a dual display of solidarity and a denunciation of those complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, activists converged on two separate locations to make an unequivocal statement.
Donald Trump: F off out of Scotland!
First, the direct action group Palestine Action executed an overnight operation on 8 March at the ‘Trump Turnberry’ golf course, in protest against the US administration’s explicit plans and threats to destroy, ethnically cleanse, and ‘take over’ the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Upon infiltrating the sprawling 800-acre resort, activists emblazoned the lawn of the South Ayrshire course with three-metre-high letters reading, “GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE.”
In a further demonstration of their opposition to Donald Trump’s intentions, activists spray painted the gates and, perhaps most strikingly, excavated the greens—including the course’s most prestigious holes, renowned from numerous Open Championships.
This operation was a direct retort to the US administration’s declared intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza. After outlining his plans to “clean out the whole thing” and forcibly displace its population, the US president last week released an AI-generated video promoting his vision for the Strip—a video featuring himself and the genocidaire Netanyahu, shirtless and drinking at the ‘Trump Gaza’ resort.
The ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the forcible displacement of its Palestinian population constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, as Trump threatens to kill all of Gaza’s two million inhabitants – “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do , you are DEAD” – his administration is simultaneously preparing plans for the Israeli annexation of the Palestinian West Bank.
Palestine Action: Trump’s property is not safe
A spokesperson from Palestine Action said:
“Palestine Action rejects Donald Trump’s treatment of Gaza as though it were his property to dispose of as he likes. To make that clear, we have shown him that his own property is not safe from acts of resistance. We will continue to take action against US-Israeli colonialism in the Palestinian homeland.”
This action follows closely on the heels of the Trump administration’s approval for the shipment of 40,000 bombs to Israel, including thousands of bunker-buster bombs that have been used to “vaporise” dozens of Palestinians in single attacks. During his previous term, Trump forged ever-closer ties with Elbit Systems—Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer and Palestine Action’s primary target—relying on them heavily to maintain his militarised US-Mexico border wall. As a final favor to his partners, one of his last acts was ensuring that Elbit Systems of America could complete a legally dubious takeover of a naval technology firm.
Shortly after the world awoke to the desecration of Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course by Palestine Action, a lone protestor scaled the British Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben.
A Lone Figure Aloft Big Ben
While documenting his solo act, the protestor, a 26 year known as Dan ascended to a high ledge, unfurled his Palestine flag and keffiyeh, and remained aloft, barefoot, vociferously addressing the assembled crowds below while broadcasting his message on social media. He articulated a compelling call for the liberation of political prisoners and condemned the use of counter-terrorism powers against Palestine Action. He also voiced robust support for the Filton 18—Palestine Action activists detained in connection with an operation that inflicted millions of damages on Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.
During negotiations, the Palestine protestor warned if he was approached, he would climb even higher
After 17 Hours of Protesting, hanging off Big Ben without food, water & barefoot bleeding, Dan remained holding the Palestinian Flag as he was lowered down The clock tower.
Although six activists were apprehended at the scene, an additional 12 were later arrested in counter-terrorism raids, detained, and interrogated under special powers. While charged with ordinary offences, they remain accused of having a “terrorism connection” and are remanded in custody; if bail is not granted, some may be detained for up to two years before trial.
“While they’ve got our political prisoners locked-up, I’m staying up here,” the climber declared, as a throng of fellow Palestine supporters gathered beyond the police cordon, offering words of encouragement. He added:
“Stop the weaponisation of terrorism legislation against Palestine Action activists… Free the Filton 18.”
The Filton 18 case has garnered widespread condemnation of the state’s use of terrorism legislation, including denunciations from four UN special rapporteurs.
We will continue to take direct action for Palestine
A spokesperson for Palestine Action stated:
“We applaud the activist for taking solidarity action, and highlighting the state’s abuse of power against political dissidents. We live in extraordinary times, where war criminals roam free, while anti-war protestors are arrested for invented crimes, and anti-Genocide activists spend long periods detained without trial. As our brave comrade has stated, ‘This is the start of fascism’.”
Tragically, despite marches and peaceful protests, the bombs keep falling and Palestinians continue to be massacred—killed by British-manufactured weapons with the complicity of British politicians. Regardless of the level of police state repression, Palestine Action vows to persist with direct action and to escalate their campaign to expel Israeli arms manufacturers from Britain.
On Sunday 19th March, Palestine Action used a drone to fly the Palestine flag during the England v Italy Rugby match held at Twickenham Stadium, West London.
Who are Palestine Action?
Palestine Action is an organisation that was founded in 2020. Its founders are Huda Ammori Richard Barnard.
A statement on their website reads as follows:
Palestine Action is a grassroots, horizontally-led, direct-action network, focused on getting concrete results. We will take action against complicit companies, and we will pressure institutions to divest from them.
Palestine Action has forced four UK companies to cut ties with Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems in 2024
Fisher German, the property managers of Elbit’s UAV Engines factory in Shenstone, Staffordshire, dropped all association with Elbit.
After a two month campaign, iO associates, Elbit’s sole UK recruiters, ended their association with the Israeli weapons maker, which was also their biggest client.
Naked Creativity, the listed website hosts of Elbit’s UAV Tactical Systems factory in Leicester, stopped working with Elbit after their London offices were spray painted with the slogan “Drop UAV”.
Most significantly, one of the world’s biggest shipping companies, Kuehne+Nagel, declared they’ve stopped working with Elbit and will refrain from doing so in the future.
