LONDON: Pro-Palestinian activists forced an Israeli-owned factory in the West Midlands of England to shut down on Tuesday.
Palestine Action, along with a number of activists from Animal Rebellion, blocked access to the factory, chained the gates, poured red paint and spray-painted messages on the exterior of the building in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
The group has occupied a number of subsidiaries owned by Elbit Systems in the UK, which it claims manufactures components for tanks and drones for the Israeli military.
The state can lock us up, jail our activists and do everything they can to break us, but we will ALWAYS win #ShutElbitDown @RebelsAnimal pic.twitter.com/Ktt98CTtc1
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) March 16, 2021
Last month, six Palestine Action activists were arrested for causing thousands of pounds in damages to another Elbit-owned factory in Shenstone, Staffordshire. That was the fourth time that factory was shut in five months.
“Elbit’s military activity uses solvents, fuels and a host of other poisonous chemicals, which leach toxins into the environment that remain there for decades and possibly, even centuries, causing a massive impact to the wellbeing of our planet,” said Palestine Action in a statement.
“Shutting Elbit down is completely in line with both the movement’s missions to end the UK’s complicity in a damaging, murderous and lethal industry,” it added.
Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, told Arab News: “More and more people are finding out about Elbit’s complicity and their weapons being tested on Palestinian people and want to show solidarity and shut these factories down.”
Staffordshire Police said it was dealing with a small protest at a factory site in Tamworth.
“We have a number of specialist officers in attendance at Amington Industrial Estate and are working with partners to resolve the incident safely.”
