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Underground Activists Target Office Suppliers For Israeli Weapons Factory

Activists from Palestine Action Underground targeted Digital Office Group in Leicester, suppliers of office equipment for the city’s Israeli weapons factory, UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS). The anonymous contingent broke windows and air conditioning units, whilst spraying red paint to symbolise the blood shed of the Palestinian people by Israeli weapons. This action took place during the fourth month of the ongoing siege outside U-TacS. Over the past few months, Digital Office Group was spotted several times supplying equipment to U-TacS. As part of the campaign to shut down the Leicester weapons factory, activists are targeting all companies who facilitate U-TacS production of Israeli weaponry.

Palestine Action Underground Launches On Third Anniversary

Another year of Palestine Action; three years of sustained and effective direct action against Elbit Systems. Three years of mobilising and enabling the masses to strike back and refuse passivity. Three years of radical action and engaging collective power. Three years of unstoppable momentum, victories and, as a direct result, increased attempts by the state to quash the movement. This time, last year, our second anniversary report [1] was buzzing over the two Elbit closures, announced in quick succession at the start of 2022. We’re still incredibly proud of the victories at Oldham and Kingsway. They have not lost their zest because they represent, particularly in Oldham, the successful nurturing and building of community.

Palestine Action Blocks Sewage Pipes Of Leicester’s Israeli Weapons Factory

Two days ago, Palestine Action blocked the sewage pipes leading to Leicester’s Israeli weapons factory, UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS). In a new tactic, activists used concrete and other materials to create a blockage in the pipes to disrupt the operation of the factory. The action was not publicised at its inception, leaving the factory unaware of their new plumbing problems. Since the obstruction of the pipes, two vans belonging to the factory’s estate’s management firm, Precision Facilities Management, have entered the premises. The action took place as part of the ongoing siege against the weapons factory, which began on May 1st, over two months ago.

Palestine Action Blockade Leicester’s Israeli Weapons Factory

On the 24th day of Palestine Action’s siege against Leicester’s Israeli Elbit factory — UAV Tactical Systems, another blockade has successfully locked down the company’s only entrance gates in the early hours of this morning. An immovable vehicle and two Palestine Actionists have locked-on in the road outside the perimeter fence, evading their paramilitary-style security workforce, the site’s surveillance cameras, and inhibiting the company’s ability to open by blocking staff entry. In Leicester, and in Elbit’s 7 other remaining sites in Britain, weaponry is being manufactured and exported to Israel.

Palestine Action Target Firms Linked To Leicester’s Israeli Weapons Factory

On the 21st day of the siege against Elbit’s Leicester factory, UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), Palestine Action targeted two companies linked to the Israeli weapons company. Activists targeted the Precision FM headquarters in Leicester, by breaking windows and spray painting a clear message to the firm: cut ties with Elbit. Others drenched the Aldridge office of Edwards accountants with red paint, symbolising the spilt blood of Palestinians. Precision Facilities Management provide maintenance and sterilisation services for U-TacS, boasting a good review on their website and appearing to use the company as unnamed case study for the services they provide.

Shutting Down The Israeli Arms Industry

Even as Israel’s war against Palestine continues unabated, a new movement has arisen in the United Kingdom, challenging the Israeli war machine – and it has been winning some impressive victories. Founded in 2020, Palestine Action is a grassroots activist movement that seeks to end British complicity in Israeli war crimes by shutting down arms manufacturing sites across the U.K. Today, Lowkey welcomes back Palestine Action co-founder Huda Amori to talk about the rise of her organization that has taken the country by storm and has weapons manufacturers fleeing. Born in the U.K., Amori is a Palestinian-Iraqi whose father was chased out of his home by Israeli soldiers in 1967, and forced to flee, without even a pair of shoes.

Occupation Of Israeli State Owned Weapons Factory Enters Second Day​​​​​​​

The occupation of the Israeli-state owned arms factory in Newcastle has continued into the second day as activists have maintained their positions on the factory roof overnight. While one was arrested early this morning, the other activist remains in place, holding control of the site and keeping it shut down for the second day running after first scaling the factory early Monday morning [1]. Activists have taken the site apart, with extensive damage caused to the windows, equipment, and property both inside and outside of the factory walls ensuring that the Israeli government will not be able to operate its weapons manufacturing from Newcastle for some time.

Activists Smash Into Logistics Giant And Arms Traffickers

This morning, Palestine Action activists targeted the premises of Kuehne + Nagel, a global transport and logistics company known to partner with Elbit Systems. The activists smashed their way into the building, and covered the premises in spray paint, while taking apart office equipment including phones and computers. The office, at the Meridian Business Park, Braunstone Town, Leicester, is only across from the UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS) factory to which actionists are currently laying siege [1]. A whistle blower from Kuehne + Nagel employee alerted Palestine Action to the extent of their company’s involvement with U-TacS, the drone-making brand ran by Israel’s largest weapons company, Elbit Systems.

Extreme Policing

Monday was day eight of the protest at the Elbit Israeli weapons factory in Leicester. After seven days and over 60 arrests, fewer than 20 protestors remained. I learn that 46 protesters who have been arrested have been released on the bail condition that they leave Leicestershire County. Yes, the entire county. People arrested for doing absolutely nothing but exercising the democratic right to protest, are thus prevented from exercising that right further, without a long period in jail on remand. What is happening here is sickening. The protestors have been confined to a designated area by an order under the Public Order Act 1986. One demonstrator, who left the protest on Monday to go home, was detained by police for leaving the designated area.

Palestine Action On Day Ten Of ‘The Siege’

Yesterday the Israeli occupation bombarded densely populated areas of Gaza, murdering 13 Palestinians including 4 children. Not willing to tolerate British complicity in these sort of abuses, two actionists retaliated, this morning, against the British roots of Israeli aerial domination over Palestinians. Palestine Action drove a car through the inner perimiter of Leicester’s Israeli drone factory, UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), blockading the only entrance for the site. Two activists are using a lock on device to maintain the block in place, which immediately stopped a delivery from entering the premises. The action was completed despite enhanced security by the company and a permanent police operation put in place to protect the factory.

33 Arrests; The Siege Continues Despite Police Repression

An unprecedented 33 arrests were made yesterday at the site of the Palestine Action siege, as Leicestershire Police took disproportionate measures using unjustifiable force against individuals who had turned out in opposition to Israel’s arms trade. The siege continues into its third day, a mass mobilisation against the UAV Tactical Systems drone factory in Leicester – owned by Israel’s largest weapons company, Elbit Systems. Leicestershire Police, having witnessed the speeches, workshops, dance, and community mobilisation that have characterised The Siege thus far, stepped in with all of the force at their disposal to intimidate and detain those standing against Elbit.

Palestine Action Blockade UAV Tactical Systems; Day Two Of The Siege

On Day Two of The Siege, four activists used lock-ons to block both roads which lead to the factory of Elbit subsidiary, UAV Tactical Systems. Completely cutting off access, the activists have put their bodies in the way and their liberties on the line, in determination that Elbit cannot be allowed to make their drone technologies in Leicester, not today nor any day to come. More developments are expected through the day, as scores continue to mobilise against UAV Tactical Systems in solidarity with the victims of Elbit weaponry in Palestine and elsewhere. With the south-side entrance already occupied – the road hosting a camp from the first day – the disruption to Elbit was intensified this morning.

The Siege Against Leicester’s Israeli Weapons Factory Begins

Palestine Action’s siege has begun. Hundreds have descended on Meridian Business Park in Leicester to force Elbit’s factory to shut down. The crowds began arriving this afternoon, and have been growing in number through the day. With banners, chants, flags, and rousing speeches delivered so far, the mass of people were welcomed later by an empowering performance by rapper and activist Lowkey, along with award winning actor and playwright Tayo Aluko, Palestinian Dabke, poetry, and more. The Siege against Leicester’s Elbit-owned UAV Tactical Systems (‘U-TacS’), is a mass action which involves huge numbers willing to remain at the site, using themselves to disrupt the flow of business.

Direct Action Succeeds In Weakening Support For Israeli Apartheid

In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, a statement of support for a Jewish State in Palestine. The United Kingdom has been a key ally of the Israeli Apartheid State since its inception. Palestinian rights activists in the UK, recognizing this reality, decided that direct action against entities that support apartheid would be the most effective strategy. Clearing the FOG speaks with Richard, a co-founder of Palestine Action, about the successes they have had over the past three years in their campaign targeting Elbit, an Israeli weapons maker, from forcing factories to close to creating a liability for the government that led to the cancellation of contracts. On May 1, Palestine Action will begin its first public action, the occupation of a factory in Leicester. Their intent is to stay until Elbit leaves. Learn more at PalestineAction.org.

Leicester’s Israeli Weapons Factory Issued With Eviction Notice

Activists protesting outside of the UAV Tactical Systems factory in Leicester have issued Elbit with an eviction notice [1] – giving them one month to vacate the drone factory before the Palestine Action ‘siege’ commences on May 1st. The notice, handed to Elbit Systems under the authority of The Court (of Public Opinion), provides 30 days notice before the site will be met by a mass action, as the people of Leicester and groups and individuals from across Britain convene to force the Israeli weapons factory to close. At the same time, protestors gathered in Leicester city centre, publicly exposing Elbit and their activities a few miles away at the UAV Tactical Systems factory, holding banners, flares, flags and leaflets outlining their criminal actions
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