PRESS RELEASE
14/04/22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE:
- This morning, Palestine Action activists locked on to and shut down ‘UAV Tactical Systems’ – subsidiary of Israeli-owned Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer. Police have since arrived on site in droves of at least seven cars, two vans and one drone
- One supporter, a young Muslim woman was arrested by police, simply for carrying ‘Free Palestine’ placards
- Police have cut out activists of the lock-on and arrested the two, taking them into custody
- The action is part of the campaign to Shut Elbit Down, with unrelenting actions having taken place over the last month. UAV Tactical Systems produce Hermes/Watchkeeper drones. Both are sold in large numbers to Israel for use on Palestinians, and the latter is sold by Elbit to the British military
- Action took place at the site just weeks prior, with Palestine Action vowing to return – the group has called on all local supporters to get involved in the campaign by attending a talk to be held on Saturday 16th, at Taiba Lounge, 62 Evington Valley, where members will speak alongside rapper Lowkey about the campaign and the power of direct action
Activists today targeted an Israeli drones factory owned by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, with direct action – with two young people attaching themselves to a body lock-on outside the site gates. In response, Leicestershire police turned up in extortionate numbers, with at least seven cars, two vans and one drone. Police moved to cut the activists out of the lock-on, and activists have now been arrested after shutting down the factory. In addition to this, a young Muslim woman was arrested – for carrying ‘Free Palestine’ placards. Such actions fall in line with the police’s history of phony arrests, intimidation and violence against members and supporters of the group.
The site – UAV Tactical Systems, has been targetted by Palestine Action twice in several weeks. It produces Hermes 450 and Watchkeeper drones which are sold to both the Israeli and British militaries, used for surveillance and bombings. In Elbit’s own words, its drones are marketed as ‘battle-tested’ on Palestinians. Elbit Systems supplies the Israeli military with 85% of its drone fleet, and holds numerous contracts with the British military. Palestine Action seek to disrupt and dismantle the firm’s British operations through strategic and recently heightened direct action.
A Palestine Action spokesperson has stated the following:
“The extortionate police response to our two activists, and their use of non-existent laws to arrest a supporter does not come as a surprise to us. Britain is faithful to the Israeli state, particularly when it comes to Israel’s military affairs, reacting with immediate hostility to those who oppose Israel’s crimes. But no amount of intimidation tactics, threats or persecution will stop us from taking up the fight against Elbit and its criminal industry. Direct action will not cease until all Elbit sites are closed.”
This weekend, on Saturday 16th April at 62 Evington Valley Road, a talk will be hosted in Leicester by Palestine Action. The event will examine Britain’s history of enabling and upholding Israeli apartheid – and how this can be rejected and undermined through direct action. Rapper Lowkey will be joining as a speaker, alongside Palestine Action members. The group has called on all supporters in the area to attend.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Please Credit Attached Photos to Calum Ford (Free to use)
If you would like any further information on Palestine action, please contact info@palestineaction.org
Palestine Action is a direct-action network of groups and individuals formed with the mandate of taking direct action against Elbit Systems’ UK locations at grassroots level, calling for them all to be shut down and for the British government to end its complicity in Israeli apartheid.
Elbit Systems
Company profile on Elbit Systems, including quote by Israeli military general: https://whoprofits.org/company/elbit-systems/
Role of Elbit drone in killing of four children paying on Gaza beach in 2014: https://theintercept.com/2018/08/11/israel-palestine-drone-strike-operation-protective-edge/
More on the death and destruction inflicted by Elbit’s drones upon Gaza: https://corporatewatch.org/elbit-systems-company-profile-2/
Elbit surveillance technology for Israel’s apartheid wall: https://www.facing-finance.org/en/database/cases/elbit-systems-surveillance-system-torch-for-the-separation-barrier-in-israelpalestine/
UK Ministry of Defence signs £102 million contract with Elbit Systems UK for “sensor-to-shoot” system: https://www.army-technology.com/news/uk-mod-orders-elbit-detect-and-destroy-system/