On September 8th, 2025, the Ulm5, five activists from different countries, broke into the Elbit Systems weapons factory in Ulm, South Germany. They filmed themselves writing “Baby Killers” on the office walls and shouting “Fuck you, Elbit Systems” and “Free, Free Palestine”. They injured no one, but some of the activists themselves were injured, and police left them without treatment for their wounds. The Ulm5 actions were aimed at stopping the genocide “for one day or even an hour”, and to show the German state’s complicity.
Elbit Systems produces over 85% of the Israeli forces’ land-based equipment and surveillance technology. A UN report from last year concluded that “Elbit has cooperated closely on Israeli military operations, embedding key staff in the Ministry of Defense, and was awarded the 2024 Israeli Defense Prize. Elbit and IAI provide a critical domestic supply of weaponry, and reinforce Israel’s military alliances through arms exports and joint development of military technology.”
One year on, Crow, Daniel, Leandra, Vi, and Zo are still being held in pre-trial detention under harsh conditions which are in violation of international treaties. After their arrest, some were forced to undress and remain naked for over a day (up to 30 hours). Currently some are locked up for 23 hours a day, and they all have only limited access to books, phone calls, and post. They have no Internet access. Visits are also restricted: their relatives and loved ones—most of whom live outside Germany—are only allowed to visit them for one hour per month.
The Ulm5 are being prosecuted under section 129 of the German Criminal Code, “membership of a criminal organisation”, an accusation they strongly deny and their legal team is disproving. Section 129 is increasingly being used against climate activists and anti-fascists. In court, they are brought in wearing handcuffs and stand behind bullet-proof glass—aimed at making them look like terrorists/dangerous criminals. This is also presumably why they are being tried in Stammheim prison, home of the Red Army Faction trials in the 1970s.
Section 129 carries a jail sentence of up to five years, and, if the Ulm5 are convicted, it looks like they will face a high sentence. Even if they are found innocent, they have now been locked up for one year, and will stay in prison until the end of the year, and longer. International observers, including MPs, MEPs, and legal observers, have called this a “show trial”. The Ulm5’s actions were justified and saved countless lives that would otherwise have been lost to Elbit weapons in Gaza.
The Ulm5 remain resolute, as does the campaign to support them. Buses regularly travel to court hearings in Stammheim, and there are many other ways in which you can support the 5. On Sunday 6th September, there’s a Presentation, Panel and Reading in Biergarten Jockel. And on 12th September, at the Left Berlin Summer Camp, there will be a workshop about the Ulm5 plus a reading from Jara Nassar’s forthcoming Ulm5 puppet show.
