PALESTINE rights activists have been remanded in custody after being accused of causing more than £500,000 in damage to a factory which supplies military and security equipment to Israel.

The four Palestine Action activists were arrested at US-owned Teledyne Labtech’s factory at Presteigne in Powys, Wales, on Friday.

They have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Welshpool magistrates’ court remanded them in custody to appear at Mold Crown Court in January.

Palestine Action said Friday’s operation “caused significant disruption to the flow of arms from Britain to Israel’s apartheid state.”

Teledyne Labtech’s products include military radar and electronic warfare systems and military communications equipment, according to the company.

Palestine Action has been campaigning against Israeli-owned Elbit Systems, whose Britain-based factories manufacture drones and pilotless aircraft for the Israeli military.

Elbit’s factory at Oldham in Greater Manchester, one of its five factories across Britain, shut permanently earlier this year after repeated occupations by Palestine Action and regular protests by Palestine supporters including Oldham Peace and Justice group.

Palestine Action says it is also targeting other companies in Britain supplying Israel’s military, including Teledyne.

The group said: “The imprisonment of the four activists is a desperate attempt by the state to deter disruption of Israel’s military supply chain and facilitate the ongoing military repression of the Palestinian people.

“We call for the immediate release of our political prisoners, and vow to continue to disrupt the war machine until Palestinians are also free.”

The group is appealing for donations for legal representation.