A PALESTINE ACTION activist remanded in custody after a Christmas Day protest at an Israeli weapons site is among 22 of its members who will begin 2025 in a jail cell, the group said today.

Bryn Higgs, 60, was arrested after sledgehammers were used to smash into the walls of Elbit UAV Engines’ drone factory at Shenstone in Staffordshire.

Two other men and two women were detained but released on bail on Boxing Day.

Palestine Action said the dedicated activist wrote on his arrest form: “The failure of our government to stop arms exports to Israel compel many ordinary people like me who are human rights supporter, to take action against those exports and against the killing they enable.”

After a protest at the same location on July 31, Mr Higgs, of Ullapool, Ross-shire, was remanded in custody at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Friday. Police said he was charged with “locking on” to cause serious disruption, conspiring to destroy or damage property and criminal damage to property valued at over £5,000.

A Palestine Action spokesperson said: “As he joins Palestine Action’s other 21 political prisoners who will be starting 2025 in a jail cell, Bryn tells us that he is unbowed and unbroken and accepts the position he is in.

“Like all but two of the other prisoners, he is being held unconvicted of any offence, imprisoned as part of the British state’s attempt to deter Palestine Action.”

Staffordshire Police said three men and two women were arrested and bailed as officers continue investigations.