From Italy to Canada, banned UK group Palestine Action inspires direct-action protests against arms firms worldwide

Inspired by Palestine Action, the group proscribed in the United Kingdom, activists in Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, France, Canada and elsewhere are now staging protests under the same name or using the same tactics. The movement, which directly targets companies supplying arms to Israel, is spreading around the world.

It began in November 2023, when protesters spray-painted the Rome headquarters of Leonardo, an Italian weapons manufacturer with ongoing contracts with Israel. That same month, a Palestine Action protest against Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory shut the factory down, and that event inspired the Italian activists. Luca, a representative of Palestine Action Italy, said: “That was the first movement, where, in Italy, we felt we needed to do something.”

Last week in Canada, activists operating under the name Palestine Action Canada raided and spray-painted a subsidiary of Elbit, Israel’s largest weapons maker. Similar groups have also organised in the Czech Republic and Germany without using the same name; in France, Stop Arming Israel France campaigns against French arms producers, while in Italy Global Sumud Flotilla Italy works to intercept cargo ships carrying arms-related materials into Italian ports.

Huda Ammori, cofounder of Palestine Action, said: “The direct action movement is growing across the world. In order for the Israeli weapons industry to operate, it requires a global supply chain and a presence in countries across the world. Those sites are pressure points which ordinary people can disrupt to bring down the Israeli war machine.” The Italian group has amassed tens of thousands of social media followers, has staged several occupations of Leonardo’s facilities, and hosts training sessions on direct action with other groups in Europe. Luca said: “Palestine Action is the closest way to be against the war. They are creating weapons, we are destroying them.”

Last month, activists associated with Global Sumud Flotilla Italy used three small ships to intercept the Sundaid X, a container ship with military cargo. The group said the cargo directly supplied the nearby Sigonella naval air base and drone hub. Police detained the activists, accusing them of disrupting public order. In France last week, more than 20 activists blocked access to the headquarters of Safran Data Systems in Les Ulis, forcing the company to evacuate several employees and disrupting almost three hours of work. Safran Data Systems is part of Safran Electronics and Defense, a French company with ties to Israel’s military, including producing fighter jet parts and a partnership with Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael dating back to 2021.

In Canada, charges were recently dropped against activists who occupied a Montreal branch of Scotiabank to protest against investments in Elbit Systems; the protesters had been removed by police in riot gear in the 2024 action. In February, Scotiabank divested from Elbit Systems.

In July 2025, Palestine Action was proscribed as a “terrorist organisation” in the UK. Since the proscription, at least 4,000 people have been arrested on charges related to the group, including thousands of largely peaceful protesters arrested for holding signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”. On Wednesday, the UK-based group heads to court again to fight the ban. In August 2026, the United States sanctioned Palestine Action alongside several other pro-Palestine organisations, and as a result Palestine Action Italy lost access to its US-based donation platform.