Gather outside of Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates Court on the 3rd and 6th of December, to oppose attempts by Elbit and the British state to prosecute those undermining the Israeli murder industry. Stand in solidarity with activists who, like the Raytheon 9 did, will be standing ‘as the accusers, not the accused’. Bring placards, banners, and voices to support activists and take a stand against war criminals profiting from death and destruction.
The ‘Elbit Three’ are being charged with criminal damage following their occupation of the UAV Engines factory in Shenstone, Staffordshire. The activists blockaded the gates to prevent operations at the factory, in which engines and engine parts for a range of Elbit drones are produced. These include the Hermes 450 drone, described as the ‘backbone’ of the Israeli drone fleet and has been routinely deployed in bombardments of civilians in Gaza.
The managers of Elbit Systems’ British operations walk free, despite their livelihoods being funded by war crimes and the murder of Palestinians. Meanwhile, the British state and Crown Prosecution Service are seeking to prosecute those who are taking a conscientious stand against such brutality, despite their actions having been taken by necessity to prevent further crimes. No activist has so far faced trial for actions taken against Elbit Systems, with charges consistently dropped as Elbit fear the exposure of their violations of international law in a courtroom setting. These activists will be turning the accusations on Elbit, calling for them to answer for their criminal activity.
Palestine Action are therefore calling on all supporters in the North, Midlands and elsewhere to turn out to The Court House, Ryecroft, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 2DG on Friday the 3rd and Monday the 6th of December, to protest this hypocrisy and call for the prosecution of Elbit Systems.