The Campaign Against Elbit Systems Leicester
Palestine Action is a group that campaigns against the arms trade, and in particular against Elbit Systems. From the 1st May 2023 the group say they will be laying siege to Elbit Systems Leicester, they are planning to stay put day and night for weeks on end.
The group has been carrying out a campaign against Elbit for several years, and has carried out a number of protests and demonstrations outside the company's factories in the UK.
The group has also been successful in persuading a number of universities and other institutions to divest from Elbit. In 2021, the University of Leeds became the first university in the UK to divest from Elbit, following a campaign by Palestine Action.
The protest on May 1st is expected to be one of the largest Palestine Action has ever held. The group was in Leicester this weekend calling on people to come to the protest to show their support for the Palestinian people and to demand that Elbit stop supplying weapons to the Israeli military.
Who are Action Palestine?
Action Palestine Action is a direct-action network that uses non-violent civil disobedience to shut down and disrupt the UK operations of companies that supply arms to Israel. The group was founded in 2020 in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the UK government's support for Israel.
Palestine Action has carried out a number of high-profile protests against UK arms companies, including Elbit Systems, UAV Tactical Systems, and Teledyne FLIR. The group has also targeted UK government buildings and offices of Israeli diplomats.
Palestine Action's actions have been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the group for its commitment to non-violent resistance, while others have criticized its tactics as being too disruptive and potentially harmful.
Despite the criticism, Palestine Action remains committed to its goal of shutting down the UK arms trade with Israel. The group believes that its actions are necessary to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to achieve justice for the Palestinian people.
Here are some of the group's notable actions:
In July 2020, Palestine Action activists broke into and spray-painted the interior of Elbit Systems' UK headquarters in London.
In May 2021, during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, four members of the group dressed in red boiler suits climbed onto the roof of an Elbit Systems-owned drone factory in Meridian Business Park, Leicester. The occupation lasted six days, and a total of 10 arrests were made for conspiracy to commit criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
In August 2021, Palestine Action activists occupied the offices of UAV Tactical Systems in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The occupation lasted for two days and ended with the arrest of 12 activists.
In January 2022, Palestine Action activists occupied the offices of Teledyne FLIR in Weybridge, Surrey. The occupation lasted for three days and ended with the arrest of 13 activists.
Palestine Action has also been involved in a number of other actions, including protests outside the Israeli embassy in London, and the blockade of Israeli arms shipments. The group has also called for a boycott of Israeli goods and services.
Palestine Action is a controversial group, and its actions have been met with both praise and criticism. However, the group remains committed to its goal of shutting down the UK arms trade with Israel.
Who are Elbit Systems?
Elbit Systems is an Israeli multinational defence electronics company with its headquarters in Haifa. It is one of the world's largest suppliers of military electronics, and its products are used by the Israeli military, as well as by militaries around the world.
Elbit Systems has a factory in Leicester, England, which manufactures a variety of military products, including drones, radar systems, and night vision equipment. The factory employs over 1,000 people, and its products are used by the British military, as well as by militaries around the world.
In recent years, Elbit Systems has come under fire from human rights groups for its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The company has been accused of providing Israel with technology that has been used to violate Palestinian human rights, including the use of drones to target and kill Palestinian civilians.
Elbit Systems has denied these allegations, and has stated that its products are used for legitimate military purposes. However, the company's involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to calls for boycotts and divestment from Elbit Systems.
In 2020, the British government announced that it would be ending its arms sales to Israel. However, Elbit Systems is not covered by this ban, and the company continues to sell its products to the Israeli military.
Elbit Systems is a controversial company, and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a source of much debate. However, the company remains a major player in the global arms trade, and its products are used by militaries around the world.
Here are some of the products that Elbit Systems makes for Israel and other countries:
Drones: Elbit Systems is one of the world's leading manufacturers of drones. The company's drones are used by militaries around the world for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted killings.
Radar systems: Elbit Systems manufactures a variety of radar systems, including ground-based radar systems, airborne radar systems, and naval radar systems. The company's radar systems are used by militaries around the world for air defence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Night vision equipment: Elbit Systems manufactures a variety of night vision equipment, including goggles, monocular, and binoculars. The company's night vision equipment is used by militaries around the world for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition.
Elbit Systems is a major player in the global arms trade, and its products are used by militaries around the world. The company's involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to calls for boycotts and divestment, but Elbit Systems remains a major supplier of military equipment to the Israeli military.
