German authorities have arrested five Palestine Action activists accused of targeting the Berlin offices of Elbit Systems, the Israeli arms manufacturer supplying weapons used in the war in Gaza.
Police said protesters had broken into the building earlier this week, smashing windows, spraying graffiti, throwing paint and smoke bombs, and damaging office equipment. Officers surrounded the premises and detained five activists on the upper floors.
Three to four others are still being sought, with raids carried out on apartments across the German capital.
The activists, two men and three women aged 23 to 39 from Ireland, Spain, Britain and Germany, are being held in custody. Investigators have transferred the case to Germany's Centre for Security and Counterterrorism.
Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, accused the activists of "terror", branding the protesters "Hamas supporters" and calling for harsh punishment.
Elbit, which provides around 85 per cent of Israel's drones and land-based military equipment, has long been a target of protests for its role in Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.
The incident comes as Palestine Action faces intensifying crackdowns across Europe. The group was banned in the UK in July under anti-terror legislation, after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged military aircraft, which were reportedly used in operations to support Israel's war on Gaza.
The ban criminalises expressions of support for the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
In the UK, police arrested at least 890 people this weekend for taking part in a London protest supporting the group.
Police have also conducted dawn raids on campaigners accused of supporting Palestine Action. Six activists were charged this week under terrorism laws, hours before they were due to announce a mass mobilisation against the ban. A court later released them on bail.
It comes as the company’s Bristol plant was closed last month after repeated occupations, window-smashing, and red paint actions.
In Poland, two activists were arrested for targeting Elbit’s display at a weapons fair, while earlier this summer, demonstrators unfurled banners in Germany demanding the closure of all Elbit facilities.