10 Jun 2026
https://thecradle.co/articles/uk-court-grants-allianz-permission-to-sue-pro-palestine-activists-for-nearly-400000

Lede: Damages would be collected from the activists' future earnings and
savings, a move described as an 'intimidatory fear tactic'

On 7 June, Central London County Court Judge Alan Johns authorized German
insurance multinational Allianz, the insurer for Israeli arms maker Elbit
Systems, to proceed with a civil lawsuit against a group of pro-Palestine
activists seeking nearly $400,000 in damages.

The judge dismissed the defendants' petition to pause the corporate litigation
until their criminal proceedings conclude.

The activists, identified as the Allianz6, were involved in demonstrations at
Allianz offices in London and Guildford during 2024 and 2025, in which they
occupied the buildings and applied water-soluble red paint to the exteriors.

Allianz was targeted by pro-Palestine activists due to its financial and
insurance ties to Elbit Systems UK - the British subsidiary of Israel's largest
arms manufacturer.

According to reporting from Middle East Eye (MEE), the insurance company claims
these actions resulted in physical damages exceeding $100,000.

The legal conflict intensified after the defendants requested a stay on the
civil proceedings.

In response, Allianz increased its financial demands by adding another £200,000
($267,909) in so-called "symbolic damages," with the firm citing "reputational
damage and commercial embarrassment" as the basis for the increase, alleging the
activists forced the closure of each office for one day.

The total claim now stands at £289,604 (around $387,938) plus legal costs, with
the activists describing this additional sum as a "protest license fee."

Seren John-Wood, a community worker and one of the defendants, told MEE that the
strategy of moving the case into civil court is a calculated effort to avoid
juries.

While criminal courts in the UK have frequently acquitted pro-Palestine
campaigners, civil cases are decided by judges using a lower standard of proof.

John-Wood called the move "appalling as it is unprecedented," noting that the
defendants are unable to access financial aid for legal representation in the
civil venue.

Cont'd