Activists occupy and shut down Israeli weapons factory in UK

Activists in the United Kingdom have been occupying a drone factory in Leicester for the last six days. The factory produces weapons that have been used by Israel to attack Gaza.

On May 18 members of the group Palestine Action scaled Elbit Systems, an Israeli-owned company and a subsidiary UAV Tactical Systems. Activists say that the drones were removed from the factory after they entered and are currently being protected by the police.

“We’re taking direct action because the UK is complicit in the colonization and ongoing occupation of Palestine,” an activist named Ethan said in a video posted to the group’s Twitter account.

Dozens of supporters have shown up outside the factory to protest the recent attack on Gaza and show solidarity. Today a local resident was arrested for trying to provide water to activists on the roof. Last Thursday two individuals were also arrested for trying to provide food and water. They were later released.

In addition to providing Israel’s military with drones, the defense company also developed surveillance technology that’s used at the West bank barrier, often referred to as the “Apartheid Wall.” This is the first time the factory has been occupied, but Elbit has been a target of Palestine Action, and the broader BDS movement, for years. The movement has successfully pressured multiple institutions into severing their relationship with the company. In 2016 Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis admitted that BDS was having an impact on business. “I’m not saying [BDS ] not a threat, but I think that altogether we can handle it,” he said.

This weekend Palestine Action will hold a protest at Elbit headquarters in London. “[Elbit’s] lethal munitions and dodgy deals are being made across the UK – ‘hidden in plain’ site,” reads the group’s website. “If we work together, it’s within our power to stop them and expose their murderous conveyor-belt business. Let’s drown the business of war in the guilt of the civilian blood it spills.”