Allianz sues Palestine Action activists for £300k over Elbit protests
Insurance giant seeks damages after protests targeting links to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems
One of the world’s largest insurers has launched a landmark civil case against six activists accused of targeting its UK offices over links to Israel’s defence sector.
German firm Allianz is seeking close to £300,000 in damages following two protests claimed by campaign group Palestine Action, in what is understood to be the first time alleged participants in the group’s direct action tactics have faced civil proceedings of this kind.
The demonstrations, which took place in October 2024 and March 2025, focused on Allianz’s reported provision of insurance services to the UK arm of Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest private arms manufacturer.
During the protests, red paint was sprayed across Allianz sites in Guildford and the City of London, with activists also scaling buildings and displaying banners calling on the company to cut ties with Elbit.
Allianz subsequently confirmed it had ended its relationship with Elbit Systems UK last year.
All six defendants are already facing criminal charges linked to the same incidents and have entered not guilty pleas. They are now asking the civil court to pause Allianz’s claim until after the criminal trials conclude – a request they say the company has rejected.
According to The Guardian, Seren John-Wood, 30, a community worker charged with criminal damage in relation to the City protest, said: “This is an unprecedented and unusual extra step that is being conducted parallel to criminal proceedings.
“The burden of proof is significantly lower in civil courts. We believe that in a criminal court, we will be found not guilty. In a civil court, they will have an extremely unfair advantage; we are unable to afford legal representation, whereas, according to their own annual report, they made a record operating profit of £15.1bn last year. There is no legal aid available for civil courts.”
Anna Letts, 44, a teacher facing charges over the same protest, added: “We are people who work and volunteer with refugees and asylum seekers, in homelessness services, with children and young people, and, like most working people in the UK, live paycheck to paycheck. Being forced to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds means decades of money being deducted from salaries that barely cover our rent as it is.”
George Elliott, 29, a writer and performer charged in relation to the Guildford protest, said: “Allianz brought its own reputational damage and embarrassment, as well as any other alleged harm to its business and/or employees, by opting to insure Elbit Systems.”
A spokesperson for Allianz said the company supports the right to protest but would not tolerate alleged “intimidation of our staff, threats or any behaviour that endangers the safety and security of our people, business or property”.
They added: “We reserve the right to take lawful action, including civil proceedings against individuals, to recover for damage caused to our buildings and business.”
The case comes amid continued scrutiny of Palestine Action’s tactics and legal status. Earlier this year, a High Court ruling found the government’s attempt to proscribe the group under terrorism legislation to be unlawful, although the ban remains temporarily in force pending an appeal due to be heard later this month.
With both civil and criminal proceedings now underway, the outcome could set an important precedent for how protests targeting companies linked to Israel are handled in UK courts.
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