One of the world’s largest insurance companies is suing six people alleged to have taken part in Palestine Action protests against the company.
Allianz is seeking damages of almost £300,000 for protests at its UK offices in October 2024 and March 2025, in what is believed to be the first civil case brought against people accused of involvement in direct action with the protest group.
Palestine Action repeatedly targeted the German insurance company over its provision of insurance to the UK subsidiary of Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems. During the two protests that form the basis of the civil case, red paint was daubed over Allianz’s UK headquarters in Guildford, Surrey and its City of London office.
Palestine Action claimed to have occupied the Guildford office during the 2024 protest, while activists scaled the building with a flag reading “Drop Elbit” in last year’s action. Allianz ended its contract with Elbit Systems UK last year.
The six defendants, who have all been charged with criminal offences and pleaded not guilty, are applying to the civil court to stay the case brought by Allianz until after their criminal trials, which they say the insurer has refused to do.
An Allianz spokesperson said it did not comment on legal proceedings and respected the right to lawful protest, but added it 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.”
Seren John-Wood, a 30-year-old community worker who is charged with criminal damage alongside two other defendants in relation to the City of London 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 €17.4bn (£15.1bn) last year. There is no legal aid available for civil courts.”
Anna Letts, 44, a teacher charged in relation to the same protest, said: “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, a 29-year-old writer and performer charged with criminal damage, aggravated trespass and going equipped to lock-on alongside two other defendants in relation to the Guildford protest, said: “Allianz brought on 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 decision to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act was overturned in February by the high court, which ruled that it was unlawful. It remains in place pending the home secretary’s appeal, which will be heard on 28 and 29 April.
