Ullapool human rights activist Bryn Higgs has been remanded in custody at HMP Dovegate following his arrest on Christmas Day.
Higgs was participating in a direct action protest with four members of Palestine Action at the Shenstone, Staffordshire factory of UAV Engines Ltd (UEL).
UEL, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, powers 85% of Israel’s drones, including the Hermes 450, which has been implicated in deadly strikes in Gaza and the West Bank.
The factory has faced over 20 protests from Palestine Action, including occupations and equipment damage, as activists target its role in supplying Israel’s military.
This is not Higgs’ first arrest at UEL, having been detained earlier this year during a blockade of the site’s entrances on 31 July.
At the time of his Christmas Day arrest, Higgs was already on bail without charge, following previous protests.
Palestine Action accuses the UK government of enabling human rights abuses by permitting arms exports to Israel through companies like UEL.
Although minor restrictions have been introduced, evidence suggests Elbit Systems continues supplying weapons from its UK factories.
Drones, a cornerstone of Israel’s military strategy, are used extensively for surveillance and targeted strikes, often on civilian areas in Palestine.
Recent parliamentary testimony detailed harrowing accounts, including drones targeting children, underscoring the human toll of this technology.
The Hermes 450 was also linked to the 2024 attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy, killing three British aid workers in Gaza.
Higgs, who has volunteered as a human rights observer in Palestine, is no stranger to the region’s struggles.
He recently launched a compensation project for West Bank shopkeepers whose livelihoods were destroyed by military vandalism.
In a statement recorded at the time of his arrest, Higgs urged focus on the plight of Palestinians, citing apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
He criticised the UK government for failing to halt arms exports that facilitate these atrocities, calling for more citizen-led actions.
Hugh Stirling, of Ullapool’s Free Palestine support group, praised Higgs’ courage and commitment to justice.
Describing Higgs as an inspiring figure, Stirling commended his efforts to bring peace and highlight government inaction on arms sales.
“By risking his own freedom, Bryn has forced the spotlight onto an issue our leaders prefer to ignore,” Stirling stated.
The arrest has reignited debate over the UK’s role in the global arms trade and its ethical implications.
For Higgs and his supporters, the fight for Palestinian rights remains a moral imperative, even at great personal cost.
