Pro-Palestinian activists have shut down an Israeli-owned arms factory in the UK, protesting against the company’s manufacturing of drones, which demonstrators say were used by Israeli forces in last year’s military offensive in Gaza.
UK sold £500,000 of weapons to Israel DURING Gaza assault last year. *that's* why the factory's shut down #StopElbit pic.twitter.com/LcDoK7coon
— LDNPalestineAction (@LondonPalestine) February 17, 2015
Protestors from various groups climbed over security fencing and onto the roof of the Instro Precision building in Kent, England in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and hung a number of banners protesting against the company’s alleged involvement in last summer’s attacks in Gaza which claimed the lives of more than 2,100 Palestinians.
#StopElbit rooftop protest still on after 10 1/2 hours #stoparmingisrael pic.twitter.com/1StPBBwkyB
— Sarah Cobham (@SCobham) February 17, 2015
The factory — under the name of Instro Precision — is owned by Israeli defence electronic systems company Elbit, a company which protestors claim is a leading supplier of drones to the Israeli military.
Initially there were four protestors on the roof of the factory, with a number of others at the front of the building, with reports some have chained themselves to a fence.
Reports have suggested that Elbit manufactures 85 percent of drones used by the Israeli military.
Today's action at Elbit factory in Broadstairs is by activists from Kent, London,Wales & Brighton #stoparmingisrael pic.twitter.com/Jq8isBMaI7
— Brighton BDS (@BrightonBDS) February 17, 2015
A number of different activist groups are involved in the protest, which follows a similar demonstration to one held in August last year, where members of the London Palestine Action occupied an Elbit factory in Staffordshire.
Nine people were arrested as a result of the demonstration, which saw protestors climb onto the factory’s roof and chain themselves to doors.
Groups such as the Brighton Palestine Action, who were involved in the protests have called for Brits to boycott companies involved in the manufacturing of weapons and military equipment for the Israeli army.
A number of “Stop Arming Israel” protests were held across the country last year, as a protest to the conflict in Gaza.
