The ‘Filton 18’ have been subjected to a ‘gross misjustice’ – as two mothers are set to testify

A shocking new film which claims attempts have been made to hide Israel’s genocide in Palestine gets its first screening in Bristol on Friday 21 February. Norman Thomas, producer of the film Censoring Palestine, said:

This film exposes the most outrageous attack on freedom of speech in this country in living memory.

Censoring Palestine: the Filton 18

The film features powerful interviews with two mothers of the Palestine Action Filton 18 — women whose daughters were imprisoned for taking part in the protest action in the UK-based Israeli arms company, Elbit systems in Filton, Bristol.

As the Canary previously reported, in August 2024 Palestine Action activists disrupted Israeli weapons production at the Filton, Bristol research hub of Elbit Systems – Israel’s largest arms firm.

This brand new £35m research and development hub of Israel’s biggest weapons firm opened in June 2023, and was attended by the UK-Israeli Ambassador Hotevely, and Elbit’s CEO Bezhalel Machlis – who has frequently boasted of the company’s central role in Israel’s military, during the ongoing Gaza genocide.

An initial seven people were detained under police abuse of ‘Counter Terror’ powers. More police raids and arrests followed in the months since, most recently in November. A total of 18 people have now been arrested, detained, and held under ‘Counter Terror’ powers – despite being charged with criminal charges – before a trial in November 2025.

Many had their homes and property damaged and some of their families and loved ones were also subjected to police violence, while conditions for those inside prison include arbitrary and repressive restrictions.

Though initially charged under terrorism statutes, the activists were later prosecuted for standard criminal offenses like criminal damage and aggravated burglary.

A ‘gross misjustice’

Thomas said:

These women’s daughters have been victims of a gross misjustice. They have been branded as terrorists when in reality they were protesting against terror. This is terror that has been inflicted on the people of Palestine.

The use of terror laws against protesters, Thomas claims, is all part of a concerted effort to silence criticism of the government’s role in the conflict.

He said:

It’s clear that our government has been much more deeply involved in the horrific events in Gaza than they have come close to admitting — and they are doing all in their power to cover this up.

Thomas argues that January’s Met Police crackdown on the national march for Palestine in London was the latest example of the way the government is trying to derail the protest movement. He said “it was appalling. As our film shows, the police were determined to make arrests. People were arrested for simply standing in the wrong place”.

But it’s not just about public protests, Thomas said.

Censoring Palestine: squashing dissent, everywhere

The film shows examples of censorship in the worlds of education, entertainment and throughout mainstream media. There is even, the film claims, evidence of systematic censorship in social media.

Thomas said:

Dissent is being criminalised. The mainstream media is not showing us the truth about what’s happening in Gaza and we’re not even allowed to protest against their lies and distortions.”

The film, the latest production from Platform Films makers of Oh Jeremy Corbyn – The Big Lie, includes contributions from veteran filmmaker Ken Loach, comedian Alexei Sayle, Stop The War convenor Lindsey German, world famous musician Roger Waters, and many more.

Censoring Palestine will be screened on Friday 21 February at 7.30pm in the Easton Community Centre, Kilburn St, Bristol BS5 6AW. The screening will be followed by a discussion including two mothers of the imprisoned Filton 18. Tickets are free — you can book here.

Featured image via Martin Pope