 "Repeated targets by banned Palestinian group forces closure of Israeli arms facility in UK: Report")
Elbit Systems UK operates as the British arm of Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading arms manufacturer. With annual revenues reaching $6.8 billion, the company plays a central role in supplying drones to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
An Israeli arms manufacturing facility in the UK’s Bristol has shut down operations after it was repeatedly targeted by Palestine Action, the group that has been designated as a terror organisation by the government.
The Elbit Systems UK site in the Aztec West business park came under several protests led by Palestine Action, including one on July 1, days before the British government banned the group under the Terrorism Act.
According to a report by The Guardian, Elbit was running its business under a lease issued in 2019 and valid till 2029.
About the facility
Elbit Systems UK operates as the British arm of Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading arms manufacturer. With annual revenues reaching $6.8 billion, the company plays a central role in supplying drones to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which have been heavily relied upon in the Gaza offensive.
It manufactures systems for military aircraft and helicopters, armed remote control boats, land vehicles and for command and control. While Elbit has not officially announced its closure on the site, the property wore an unexpected deserted look, according to The Guardian.
Govt bans Palestine Action
The United Nations rights chief has slammed Britain’s ban on activist group Palestine Action as a “disturbing” misuse of UK counter-terrorism legislation and urged the government to rescind its move.
“The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
The ban, introduced under Britain’s Terrorism Act 2000, took effect in July after activists from the group broke into an air force base in southern England.
But the ban among other things makes it a criminal offence to be a member of Palestine Action, to express support for the group or wear items of clothing that would arouse “reasonable suspicion” that the person is a member or supporter of the group, Turk pointed out.
Hundreds of people have been arrested by the UK police for supporting the banned group since July.
With inputs from agencies
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