Palestine Action Strikes Again: Two Key Israeli Arms Sites Shut on Same Day

Apr 13, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 13th April 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For the first time, Palestine Action target Elbit’s Bristol HQ
Activists have simultaneously seized Elbit’s Ferranti factory in Oldham breaking into the building to fully occupy outside, inside and on top
Elbit’s buildings are smeared in blood-red and the entrances are sealed with ‘war crime scene’ barrier tape
Activists vow to blockade the sites indefinitely to disrupt Israel’s lethal kill chain and bring its business-of-killing to a halt

This morning, activists from Palestine Action took over the roof and blockaded Elbit’s arms factory in Oldham. Brazenly, Bristol’s HQ was targeted at exactly the same time, grinding its lethal arms production to a halt in both the north and the southwest of the country. This is the first time Elbit’s Bristol headquarters have been targeted — a testament to the wide scale growth of the Palestine Action network.

They have sprayed buildings in blood-red paint, broken windows, chained themselves to the premises and stuck “war crime scene” barrier tape across the front doors. Banners hang from Oldham’s factory roof saying ‘Elbit’s arms: Tested on Palestine, Used in Kashmir’. This is also the first time activists have taken over the inside of Elbit, occupying Oldham’s site completely from top to bottom. Activists have pledged to blockade both sites for as long as possible to disrupt Israel’s ability to keep making and profiting from murderous weaponry.

This latest escalation by the group, targeting two key sites at the same time, follows a string of disruptions, closures and damage to Israel’s chain of factories. Having only launched last summer, Palestine Action has collectively forced Elbit’s sites to close for several weeks at a time. They have already cost the firm and its associated companies over £2 million in losses.

Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, has 10 sites in the UK, including factories and offices. The company markets its weapons as “battle-tested” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza and uses this as a lucrative “selling point” to encourage oppressive regimes across the world to purchase its hardware. Amongst other “customers” are the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who use Elbit’s drones to surveil and stop migrants seeking refuge in the UK.

“Elbit are war criminals, plain and simple, marketing their odious weapons based on how effectively they have killed defenceless Palestinian civilians and children,” says Palestine Action. “Israel’s chain of arms factories have absolutely no place in any civilised society and their existence is an utter stain on the UK. All those in positions of power who facilitate or invest in their industry, or turn a blind eye to their murderous technology, should hang their heads in shame.”

Israel’s experience in suppressing the political rights of others puts Elbit in a perfect place to sell its lethal technology of domination & control to other oppressive regimes. The company has been providing arms to Myanmar despite its genocide of the Rohingya muslims; last month’s military coup alone led to the brutal killing of more than 600 protestors, and in all, over 500,000 people have been forced to flee the country.

“While our government lies in bed with Elbit and cosies up to the arms industry, turning a blind eye to international law, it is up to us, the people, to take a stand and force these war criminals out,” says Palestine Action. Members vow to continue the campaign against Elbit until it is shut down for good.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information or to arrange interview contact: 07840150925

Palestine Action is a mass direct action movement working to end UK complicity with Israeli apartheid. Our actions expose, disrupt and damage arms companies who profit from the death and destruction of the Palestinian people and other oppressed groups. The network launched 8 months ago, and has hit Elbit Systems over 50 times — offices and production sites have been occupied, soaked in blood-red paint, advertising space has been taken over, and even the buildings of Elbit’s landlords have been targeted.