AA.com –March 28, 2024
The Elbit Systems company has been forced to sell its factory in Staffordshire because of “sustained direct action,” a UK-based pro-Palestine group said Thursday.
“Relentless direct action has secured another victory in the fight against Israel’s arms trade, as Elbit Systems are forced to sell their ‘Elite KL’ factory in Tamworth,” Palestine Action said in a statement.
Elbit Systems, a weapons manufacturing company, has long been accused of being complicit in the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip.
It is the largest Israeli military manufacturer and produces 85% of the country’s land-based equipment as well as 85% of drones used by the Israeli Air Force.
The company had previously manufactured cooling and power management systems for military vehicles, but was forced to sell the equipment after stating it faced “falling profits and increased security costs” resulting from pro-Palestine action, according to a statement.
After the sale was completed last month, Elite KL’s new owners, listed as Griffin Newco Ltd, confirmed in an email to Palestine Action that it would have nothing to do with the previous owners, Elbit, and have discontinued arms manufacturing.
“Following the recent acquisition of Elite KL Limited by a UK investment syndicate, the newly appointed board has unanimously agreed to withdraw from all future defence contracts and terminate its association with its former parent company,” Elite KL told Palestine Action.
Palestine Action noted that the “victory is a direct result of sustained direct action which has sought, throughout Palestine Action’s existence, to make it impossible for Elbit to afford to operate in Britain.”
A spokesperson for Palestine Action noted that each activist who “occupied and dismantled Tamworth’s Israeli weapons factory” did so to end Israel’s weapons trade and end the profiteering from Palestinian repression.
“Every defeat Elbit faces is a victory for the Palestinian people. Kicking Elbit out of Tamworth shows once again that direct action is a necessary tactic. It is one which must be utilised and amplified in the face of the Gaza genocide,” added the spokesperson.
Tamworth? That a jew death machine was ever located there would desecrate the memory of one of it’s most famous sons – the great Nick Drake.
Good. Let’s hope this sort of thing continues and grows; jews have no place in decent society.
This proves that protest can work. It’s only the worldwide protests against Israel’s genocide that convinced a lot of western politicians they may individually face accusations of war crimes, as without the protests they wouldn’t have cared. It may even be that without them South Africa and now the UN wouldn’t have dared make their moves against Israel. And while they might not face a trial, unless they start war which they’ll lose then they might, being an accused war criminal is a very black mark on any legacy. A lot of reputable businesses won’t want a member like that on the board as other reputable businesses may say they must cease trading with them–similar happened when reputable businessmen said they couldn’t make deals with Mark Thatcher because there were questions over where his money came from–so these easy-money positions during and after politics may suddenly dry up for them.
Only protests have brought these things about.
Tony….Love Nick – a favourite of mine…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idcaRTg4-fM
“CURIOUSLY there is NOTHING in the (((UK media))) about this…”
What a shocker! LMFAO!!! 🤣