On Palestine Action’s 4th anniversary, it marked the auspicious occasion in the best way possible: shutting down an Israel genocide-complicit factory operated by Elbit.
Palestine Action: birthday wishes from Elbit
On Wednesday 31 July, Palestine Action activists used two vehicles to block both entrances into Elbit’s UAV Engines factory in Shenstone, Staffordshire:
From on top of a van at one gate, activists have lobbed glass jars of red paint towards the building to symbolise the company’s ongoing complicity in Palestinian bloodshed.
Security were quick to try and stop them:
Cops predictably turned up to protect corporate interests, and nicked five people:
Israel’s genocide: propped up in the UK
UAV Engines Ltd is owned by Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems, the primary target of Palestine Action’s four yearlong direct action campaign. 85% of Israel’s military drone fleet and land-based equipment is supplied by Elbit Systems, which uses Gaza as a laboratory to develop weaponry which is later marketed as “battle-tested”.
Crucial components for such battle-tested weapons are made in factories across England, with engines for drones being manufactured inside Elbit’s UAV Engines ltd.
Two similar factories have been forced to permanently close down since Palestine Action launched four years ago.
Most recently, Elbit was left with no choice but to sell their factory in Tamworth after their profits were reduced by 75% due to constant disruption and sky rocketing security costs. The Tamworth factory used to make cooling units for Israeli tanks, now it only produces parts for public transport.
As part of the direct action strategy employed by Palestine Action, the campaign has also succeeded in driving several companies to cut ties with Elbit. As one activist said from inside the van blocking UAV Engines today: “If you associate with Elbit, Palestine Action will associate with you”.
Around 10% of Gaza’s population is killed, injured or missing due to the ongoing genocide carried out by Israel since 7 October. Despite rulings by the International Court of Justice which confirms Gaza is illegally occupied and Israel is committing a plausible genocide, Britain has continued to maintain military relationships with the Zionist regime.
Palestine Action: four years of a moral campaign
A Palestine Action spokesperson said:
Whilst Palestine Action’s campaign has been ongoing for four years, there has never been a more crucial time for ordinary people to take action against Israel’s weapons trade. During the ongoing Gaza genocide, Israel’s biggest weapons producer has been allowed to continue operations on our doorstep.
It’s now a legal and moral obligation for ordinary people to take direct action to shut Elbit down.
Many people don’t approve of Palestine Action’s methods. Mostly, these are people who DO approve of what Israel does – or criticise it with the usual limp caveats.
So, after four years the Canary would like to send its love and respect to everyone at Palestine Action – one of the few groups that has a tangible effect on what it takes action over. We wish them well for another four years of shutting the Israel war machine down, and smashing up shit in the process.
Featured image and additional images via Martin Pope and additional video via Palestine Action
