UK campaigners plan to close Israeli arms factory on Gaza war anniversary
Groups across the UK are gearing up for a major mobilization aimed at halting production at a factory owned by Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest military company.
The UAV Engines Limited factory in Shenstone, a 40-minute drive north of Birmingham, makes engines for drones.
The action will take place on 6 July and is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the start of Israel’s massacre of Palestinians in Gaza last year, which began on 7 July.
More than 20 groups are jointly organizing the action, including Campaign Against Arms Trade, the Boycott Israel Network, the National Union of Students Black Students Campaign, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, London Palestine Action and War on Want.
The groups say they are planning to “transform the space around the arms factory, converting it from a site of destruction into a fun, creative and child-friendly environment.”
“Let’s create a space that meets our needs and not the needs of Israeli and multinational corporations that export death for profit,” the call out continues.
At the height of Israel’s attack on Gaza last summer, nine members of the London Palestine Action network occupied the roof of the Shenstone factory, closing it for two days and costing Elbit Systems £186,000 ($285,000).
In 2009, Amnesty International published evidence showing that the factory is used to manufacture engines for the Hermes 450 drone.
Hermes drones have been documented as having been used as part of Israel’s deliberate attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including during Israel’s assault last summer that killed more than 2,200 people.
UK government data show that engines made at the Shenstone factory are exported to Israel. But Elbit Systems claims they are not installed in drones used by Israel and are instead installed in units that it exports to third countries.
Given that the UK arms export control system relies on taking companies like Elbit Systems at their word, that is a claim that is dubious at best and impossible to verify.
Elbit’s drones have been described as “the backbone” of the Israeli military’s fleet of pilotless aircraft.
The company markets its drone technology as “combat proven.” Its share price rose following last summer’s attack on Gaza because investors predicted a boost in sales as Elbit rushed to showcase how its technology helped Israel to carry out war crimes against Palestinians.
Source: electronicintifada.net