‘I was so isolated’: Pro-Palestine activist attempted suicide in UK prison | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Warning: This story includes details about suicide that may be disturbing to some readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available.
London, United Kingdom – Charlotte Head, a former charity worker and volunteer supporting domestic violence victims and refugee camps in Calais, has gained notoriety following her arrest for alleged activism related to pro-Palestine causes.
Head, 29, is an identified member of the “Filton 24,” a group of pro-Palestine activists accused of breaking into the Bristol premises of Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, in August 2024. Nearly a year later, another group of activists vandalized aircraft at an Oxfordshire airbase, resulting in the UK’s classification of Palestine Action—as the group responsible for both incidents—as a “terrorist” organization.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Head remarked on the unusual treatment faced by activists, saying, “We were some of the first activists in a very long time to be treated as terrorists,” adding that this classification significantly affected their experiences within the prison system. She highlighted the administrative challenges faced by families attempting to visit imprisoned activists, claiming that restrictions on reading materials were also imposed.
Head’s legal representation drew parallels between her situation and that of suffragettes, emphasizing the uniqueness of her case. Released on bail three weeks ago after serving 18 months in custody—exceeding the UK’s standard six-month pre-trial detention limit—Head has not been convicted of any crime.
‘I was so depressed and so isolated’
Upon her release, Head recounted her emotional state when a friend inquired about her first meal. “I sat there completely overwhelmed…and I swear nothing has ever tasted that good.” Now resettled in a seaside town and committed to her activism, Head spoke of her low points during incarceration, including a transfer from Bronzefield prison to Foston Hall, located approximately 155 miles from her support network.
In August 2025, she reported attempting suicide in response to the profound isolation and despair she felt, citing a pervasive narrative that misrepresented her and fellow activists. “I tried to take my own life…out of powerlessness,” she explained. Afterward, she was hospitalized but returned to prison the following day, handcuffed to a prison officer throughout her stay.
Head called for significant reforms within the prison system. In 2025, the UK recorded 29 deaths classified as “self-inflicted” in prisons, alongside approximately 75,000 incidents of self-harm. Hunger-striking activists have similarly urged for improved conditions and an end to perceived censorship, alleging that authorities withhold mail, phone calls, and reading materials.
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, aims to counter what it describes as Israeli war crimes and alleged British complicity by targeting arms manufacturers, predominantly focusing on Elbit Systems. The Israeli company has been linked to drone operations in conflict zones, although it denies supplying the Israeli military.
Head is accused of using a van to breach the Bristol site, an allegation she and other activists deny.
“It’s so painful to see that so little has changed in Palestine,” she remarked, underscoring the urgency of continued advocacy for Palestinian rights.
New Protests Against Elbit Systems UK
Recently, the High Court deemed the ban on Palestine Action unlawful, leading to the acquittal of all defendants from the Filton 24 on charges of aggravated burglary. Following this ruling, 23 of the 24 suspects were released on bail, with only one, Samuel Corner, still detained on additional charges.
While the jury did not reach verdicts on related counts of criminal damage and violent disorder, Head and others will face retrials. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been granted permission to appeal the High Court’s decision regarding the organization’s classification.
On Thursday, activists from People Against Genocide disrupted the Elbit Systems UK site in Bristol, employing a protest tactic known as “locking on,” which involves attaching oneself to an object. In response, Avon and Somerset Police reported the arrest of three individuals for causing disruption.
As of this report, Elbit Systems UK and the Ministry of Justice have not responded to requests for comment from Al Jazeera.
