Unity of Fields
Unity of Fields, formerly known as Palestine Action US, is an American solidarity organization. It began as the United States branch of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian protest network targeting Israeli weapons manufacturers in the United Kingdom. Its earliest known activities began in February 2023, and it began protests in October following the outbreak of the Gaza war. Similar to Palestine Action, the group led a global campaign against Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems. In 2024, the group changed its name to Unity of Fields and announced a shift in focus toward becoming what it described as a "militant propaganda front" targeting the "US-NATO-Zionist axis of imperialism."
 | |
| Formation | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Type | Activist group |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Palestinian liberation Propaganda through media |
Region served | United States |
| Website | Official website  |
Formerly called | Palestine Action US |
Unity of Fields, formerly known as Palestine Action US, is an American solidarity organization. It began as the United States branch of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian protest network targeting Israeli weapons manufacturers in the United Kingdom. Its earliest known activities began in February 2023, and it began protests in October following the outbreak of the Gaza war. Similar to Palestine Action, the group led a global campaign against Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems.[1][2]
In 2024, the group changed its name to Unity of Fields and announced a shift in focus toward becoming what it described as a "militant propaganda front" targeting the "US-NATO-Zionist axis of imperialism."[3]
Background
[edit]The group mobilized during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis and has carried out protests since.[4] It was co-founded by communist activist Calla Walsh.[5] The group's earliest known activities began in May 2023, when the group supported an event in the U.S. House of Representatives about the Nakba.[6] The group began identifying itself as Unity of Fields, describing itself in August 2024 as a "militant propaganda front" against what it called the "US-NATO-Zionist axis of imperialism".[3] It was subsequently suspended from some social media platforms.[7]
Its present name references a concept drawn from Palestinian resistance rhetoric, which the group interprets as emphasizing coordination between disparate factions despite ideological or geographic divides. They invoke the broader Axis of Resistance as a model of unified struggle against what they describe as imperialism, Zionism, and fascism.[3] The term "Unity of Fields" has previously circulated in militant discourse, especially following the 2021 Sword of Jerusalem battle, to describe attempts to coordinate action across multiple fronts, even when individual factions were not formally aligned.[8][9]
Actions
[edit]Between October and November 2023, activists affiliated with the group carried out a series of protests and direct actions targeting companies linked to the Israeli defense industry, particularly Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense electronics company. On October 12, activists attempted to shut down an Elbit office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, according to Mondoweiss.[10] On October 20, a separate protest took place outside General Dynamics in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The company did not comment on its involvement in the war but stated it supported the right to protest.[11]
On October 25, the group protested Elbit Systems at the Wentworth Institute of Technology.[2] On October 30, activists vandalized and protested at Elbit's Boston office, stating they had shut down operations. The group reported that nine individuals were arrested by Cambridge police during the protest.[1][2] On November 6, the group released footage showing pro-Palestinian slogans, including "Free Palestine" and "Shut Elbit Down", spray-painted on the Arlington, Virginia office of Elbit Systems. It said the site was one of three Elbit locations targeted that night, along with offices in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.[12] Later that month, on November 17, activists blocked entrances to BNY Mellon offices, citing the bank's investments in Elbit. Subsequently, the NYPD dispersed the protest and detained 20 people.[13]
The group has been accused of encouraging protestors to clash with police and wreak havoc in the streets.[14]
Merrimack 4
[edit]On November 20, 2023, members of the group targeted an Elbit office in Merrimack, New Hampshire, spray-painting slogans, blocking access, and occupying the roof of the building before being arrested.[15][16][17] They were arraigned the following day. The protest was condemned by both the Democratic and Republican parties.[18][19] The group wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that one was released and the other two had bail set at $20,000.[20] The activists were initially charged with Class B felonies by Attorney General of New Hampshire John Formella;[21] however, the felony charges were later dropped and the activists pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief and criminal trespass. They served 60 days in jail as a result.[22]
Responses
[edit]In October 2024, Senator Marco Rubio urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Unity of Fields for domestic terrorism.[23]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b McHardy, Martha (31 October 2023). "Pro-Palestine activists claim to have shut down Boston arms company that supplies Israel". The Independent. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Park, Andy (25 October 2023). "Pro-Palestine activists around the world protest Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems". honisoit.com. Honi Soit. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Unity of Fields: Opening Up a New Front". unityoffields.net. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Bedford, Corey (24 May 2021). "Palestine Action breaks into drone factory during protest". LeicestershireLive.
- ^ Melchior, Jillian Kay (21 June 2024). "The Making of an American Radical". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Gans, Jared (10 May 2023). "McCarthy attempts to block Tlaib's event marking 'catastrophe' of Israel's establishment". thehill.com. The Hill. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Starr, Michael (29 August 2024). "Pro-vandalism group turns into 'militant propaganda front' for US, Israel collapse". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "The Phrases "Unity of Fields [of Battle]", "Unity of Fronts" or "Axis of Resistance": Between Slogan and Reality". Institute for Palestine Studies. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "Jisr Collective: Unity of the Fields". unityoffields.net. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Arria, Michael (12 October 2023). "The Shift: Boston activists attempt to shut down Israeli weapons supplier". mondoweiss.net. Mondoweiss. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Bellow, Heather (20 October 2023). "Activists protest General Dynamics in Pittsfield over defense contracts and the Israel-Hamas war". berkshireeagle.com. Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "Offices of Israeli Defense Company Vandalized in Virginia". Yahoo Finance. 7 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Fabbro, Rocio. "Around 20 Pro-Palestine Protesters Taken Into Custody Outside of BNY Mellon Headquarters". themessanger.com. The Messenger. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Schapiro, Rich; Blankstein, Andrew (12 June 2025). "Some far-left groups have encouraged peaceful protests to turn violent, experts say". NBC News. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ Staton, Jamie (21 November 2023). "3 arrested after paint poured on Merrimack facility of Israel-based defense electronics company". wmur.com. WMUR. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Hroncich, Maggie (21 November 2023). "Child Disney Star Among Three Protesters Arrested for Vandalizing Israeli Defense Company". nysun.com. The New York Sun. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Fortier, Marc (20 November 2023). "3 arrested following pro-Palestine protest at Elbit Systems in NH". nbcboston.com. NBC Boston. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Porter, Steven. "Vandals arraigned on riot charges after disrupting Israeli-owned Elbit Systems in Merrimack, N.H." bostonglobe.com. Boston Globe. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Graham, Michael (21 November 2023). "Attack on Israeli-Owned Business in Merrimack Denounced by Both Parties". nhjournal.com. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "🚨Bridget is free.🚨 -Calla and Sophie had bail set at $20k each, and New Hampshire requires cash only. -That money is ready and available from bail support. Comrades are figuring out how to get it into cash. They will be free ASAP!!!". x.com. Palestine Action US. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Arria, Michael (27 February 2024). "Palestine Action activists hit with felony charges over New Hampshire Elbit protest". Mondoweiss. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ "Merrimack 4 defeat felony charges". Mondoweiss. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Blankley, Bethany (23 October 2024). "Sen. Rubio calls on DOJ to investigate pro-Hamas domestic terrorist group". The Highland County Press. Retrieved 28 February 2025.