Pro-Palestine activists in the United Kingdom have escalated tactics by targeting the family homes of defence company executives they accuse of supporting Israel’s military operations. Police are investigating a series of recent incidents involving vandalism and intimidation carried out by individuals associated with a group calling itself The List.
In several attacks reported over the past weeks, hooded activists have slashed car tyres, sprayed red paint on properties, and daubed slogans such as “baby killers” on garage doors. The graffiti appears to reference casualties among children resulting from Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The group claims responsibility for actions against more than half a dozen senior employees connected to UK defence firms, including those supplying equipment to Elbit Systems, the Israeli defence manufacturer.
The shift to targeting executives at their private residences marks a change from previous campaigns by pro-Palestine activists like the banned Palestine Action, which primarily focused on direct actions at manufacturing sites and defence facilities. The List has publicized images and videos of the attacks on a website based in Iceland, a jurisdiction known for strong privacy protections. It also encourages supporters to communicate using the encrypted messaging app SimpleX to maintain anonymity.
Last weekend, the group conducted coordinated actions at three locations. In Fleet, Hampshire, the tyres of a car outside the home of a female executive linked to Ultra Intelligence & Communications were slashed. The company reportedly supplies hardware to Elbit Systems. In Dunfermline, Fife, a “key engineer” employed by Leonardo UK, manufacturer of laser targeting systems used in F-35 fighter jets operated by the Israeli military, had several vehicles sprayed with red paint. Another attack took place at the residence of a male executive at Keysight Technologies, which supplies components for Elbit Systems’ drone programs, situated near Edinburgh.
Local police forces are leading the investigations, with support from counter-terrorism officers. Authorities have not confirmed whether the incidents are being treated as potential terror-related offenses but acknowledge their serious nature. The involvement of national counter-terrorism units suggests concerns about escalating intimidation tactics targeting individuals rather than corporate facilities.
The List’s targeting of private homes has raised questions about the boundaries of protest activity and the security risks posed to individuals associated with defence manufacturing. Police continue to appeal for information from the public to assist in identifying those involved.