TWO Israeli dissidents who were arrested for taking action against a British-based Israeli arms firm have been released on bail after spending 31 days behind bars. 

Ronnie Barkan and Stavit Sinai, who both left Israel as a result of their anti-zionist beliefs and now live in Europe, were granted bail at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday morning. 

The two were arrested along with seven other activists last month after occupying the regional headquarters of Elbit Systems UK — a subsidiary of Israel’s largest private arms firm — and remanded in prison. 

The nine activists, who are members of the Palestine Action group, all pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of criminal damage and burglary.

The court also lifted restrictive conditions imposed on the seven activists released on bail last month, including a 7pm to 7am curfew, electronic tags and the requirement to show officers their electronic devices. 

Ahead of the occupation of Elbit’s Bristol HQ on May 15, Mr Barkan said that he was taking action to protest “the denial of every element of equality and rights” of Palestinians.

In response to the pair’s release, a Palestine Action spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that Ronnie and Stavit have rightly been granted bail after taking action to shut down the Israeli weapons epicentre in Bristol. 

“Their imprisonment for over a month was a clear political move by the state in order to try and crack down on Palestine Action and to deter activists from taking similar action against Elbit. 

“We will not be deterred and we will not stop until we kick Elbit out of Britain for good.”

The trial for the nine activists has been set for April 2023.