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Front Runner Logistics of Heathrow, have joined Kuehne + Nagel, in becoming the latest logistics company to refuse further work with Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons maker. The company was targeted by Palestine Action, on May 17, after their vehicles were seen at Elbit’s Filton research and development centre.  Just two days before, on the 77th commemoration of the start of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, three activists used a recreated ambulance to shut down Elbit’s Filton site – the now former customers of Front Runner Logistics. 

In response to an email from Palestine Action following the action,  the company confirmed that they had cut ties with Elbit Systems UK, saying “We will not be carrying out any work for them, nor will we ever. You will never see any of our vehicles on their sites.”

The logistics firm holds a section 5 license, allowing them to carry weapons components and illegal weapons. This license also allowed them to carry out work with the Ministry of Defence. However, following the action against them and subsequent correspondence, the firm quickly concluded “We have also made the conscious decision to cease all Section 5 work, which was limited to sporting goods and support for the UK Ministry of Defence. We no longer carry any goods connected to warfare or weaponry in any form.”

Elbit supply over 85% of Israel’s killer drones and land based equipment, as well as missiles, bullets, targeting gear, digital warfare and surveillance technology. The Israeli weapons maker also market their weaponry as “battle-tested” on Palestinians, as they are first developed during attacks on Gaza.  

A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: “Through our direct action campaign to isolate Israel’s biggest weapons producer, Palestine Action have identified numerous companies who assist the production and transport of Israeli weapons. As a reesult of our campaign, over a dozen companies to date have ended their links with Elbit.

We welcome the news that Front Runner Logistics have become the latest company to do so, and went one step further to ensure their firm is not involved in the transport of any weaponry. All other courier firms must also take a position to refuse work with Elbit.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

If you would like any further information on Palestine action, please contact media@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.