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Nine arrested after activists target defence electronics firm
Nine people have been arrested after activists broke in and “occupied” a building used by an Israeli-owned defence company.
A group from Palestinian Action “forced entry” into the headquarters of Elbit Systems on Sunday.
Police arrived at the business in Aztec West after an alarm was activated at about 4.15pm.
Officers remained at the scene until 8pm as the activists “barricaded themselves inside” and damaged the building.
BREAKING: Palestine Action storms Israel’s weapons epicentre in #Bristol, smashes the windows, obliterates Elbit’s IT equipment; we’re barricaded in; we don’t stop til the Nakba does | #ShutElbitDown #Nakba74 pic.twitter.com/rszgWLtdE8
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) May 15, 2022
According to Palestine Action, intruders smashed windows and “dismantled the office” – including the walls, floors, ceilings, electrical fittings and computer equipment, according to the organisation.
They said the premises was spray painted with slogans of ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Shut Elbit Down’ in red.
A spokesperson from Avon & Somerset police said: “There is damage to the building, including graffiti and smashed windows. By 8pm officers arrested six people on suspicion of aggravated burglary.
“A further three people were arrested outside the building on suspicion of criminal damage. All remain in police custody at the time of writing.”
Police arrived at the company in South Gloucestershire on Sunday afternoon
About the occupation, Palestine Action said: “We aim to permanently disrupt the British-Israeli weapons trade by halting Elbit’s production of weapons on British shores.
“Our mission to #ShutElbitDown will continue. We intend to target every Elbit location and every complicit company across Britain. As the ongoing Nakba continues, so do our efforts to dismantle Britain’s role in supporting Israeli apartheid.”
Elbit Systems has been approached for comment by Bristol24/7.
Nine people have been arrested, police said
Palestinian Action is a direct action network aiming to “end to UK complicity with Israeli apartheid”.
Their main campaign targets Elbit Systems, an Israeli-based international high technology company, which they branded a “business of bloodshed”.
Elbit Systems’ website states the company is “engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world, primarily in the defence and homeland security arenas”.
Palestine Action has targeted its Bristol premises at Aztec West numerous times.
All photos: Guy Smallman
Read more: Students end occupation of Bristol university building
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