Palestine Action activists Ronnie Barkan (far left) and Stavit Sinai (second from the right)
TWO Israeli dissidents have been locked up for almost a month over a protest against an Israeli arms firm’s offices in Bristol.
Ronnie Barkan and Stavit Sinai, who are both Jewish Israelis, were arrested along with nine other activists from the Palestine Action group for allegedly breaking in and “smashing” the regional headquarters of Elbit System UK in Bristol on May 15.
Mr Barkan and Ms Sinai were both denied bail and have been held in prison to await their plea hearing on Wednesday next week at Bristol Crown Court, where their lawyers will reapply for bail.
As Palestine Action prisoners go weeks without food, alleging dangerous neglect and detention without trial, campaigners warn that a near-total media blackout is hiding a crisis that could turn fatal – and fuel a growing wave of public anger. ELIZABETH SHORT reports