THUGS are seizing on Middle East tensions to plot a wave of sledgehammer attacks on British defence contractors.

Palestine Action activists have drawn up a hit list of the offices and factories of three companies they claim have links to Israel.

But a Sun on Sunday investigation has uncovered shocking details of their plan to attack the buildings linked to Elbit Systems, Rafael and Teledyne.

This newspaper penetrated a secret Zoom meeting the group held on Wednesday night, just days after the Hamas terror attack which left more than 1,200 dead.

Ringleaders railed against Zionists and urged the 50 or so people on the call to rise up and join the attacks.

They handed out a secret manual with instructions on how to break in and attack buildings with sledgehammers and fire extinguishers.

One person on the call even suggested “razing buildings to the ground”.

Last night, leading politicians and campaigners against extremism and anti-Semitism condemned the plot.

Lord John Woodcock, the Government’s anti-extremism czar, said: “This cowardly sabotage campaign could risk the lives of British workers across the country and cause untold criminal damage to vital defence firms.”

Lord John Mann said the group was trying to “exploit death, destruction and terror for their own ends”.

Activists in Palestine Action have previously been to court and sentenced for attacks on UK buildings.

Yesterday, the group claimed responsibility for defacing the BBC’s London HQ with red paint.

In a post on X, it accused the corporation of having “blood on your hands”.

In Wednesday night’s Zoom meeting, ringleaders sent links to their “underground manual” to supporters telling them to form secret cells of about three people to plot their attacks.

It suggests they break in armed with sledgehammers or fire extinguishers and smash windows and equipment, block pipes and spray paint the building.

The guide states: “Remember that your action is to destrupt [sic], damage or destroy your target.”

Supporters are encouraged to borrow a neighbour’s dog so they can recce their target without attracting attention — before striking when no one is around.

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They are told to buy burner phones, destroy evidence and wear dark, baggy clothes to avoid being identified.

Names of lawyers to call if caught are given.

During the Zoom meeting, a man — referred to only as Rich and who did not put on his computer camera — led the call.

He said: “The days of controlled resistance in the West are ending . . . we need to go beyond that.”

He added: “We need to disrupt — that’s the minimum. They could glue themselves to the gate. They could lock on.

“They could get in cars. Then they could go right the way through to destroying the whole building.”

Impressing on the new recruits the need for secrecy, he later added: “Everything is on a need-to-know basis. You don’t tell your mum unless you are taking your mum with you.”

Activists were shown slides accusing Israel of apartheid and saying the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems were Zionists not to be trusted.

They picked out the three defence companies to target.

A map of their offices and factories was then shown.

Rich boasted about previous attacks on Faslane — the military base in Scotland where Britain’s nuclear weapons are kept.

But an MoD spokesman said: “We have looked at this and found nothing to back up the claims.”

In another exchange, a woman suggested burning down buildings.

New recruits are told they may get arrested and told: “Never talk to the police.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Anyone with information on potential criminal activity should contact us.”

A government spokesperson said: “This government and our police forces have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism.

“Police officers have our full backing to use the full extent of the law to crack down on any criminality.”

Elbit Systems UK said: “Elbit Systems UK is proud to provide critical support, training and equipment to the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

“We condemn those inciting further violent and illegal attacks on sites and individuals across the UK.”