Police cordoned off the area
A police cordon in place at Elbit Systems UK site in Aztec West(Image: Palestine Action)
A man and a woman have been arrested today (July 1) following a pro-Palestine protest in Bristol.
Activist group Palestine Action targeted the Bristol headquarters of Israeli-based defence and military technology company, Elbit Systems, in Aztec West.
The organisation said it blockaded the site’s entrance and covered it in red paint, “to symbolise Palestinian bloodshed”.
It follows similar protests at the Aztec West subsidiary and elsewhere in the city.
Police officers attended, and a cordon was set up around the site of the protest.
Now, Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed that a 30-year-old woman, and a 36-year-old man, both from London, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, unauthorised entry to a prohibited place, and locking onto a person, object or land to cause serious disruption.
A police spokesperson said: “Two people have been arrested following a small protest outside a premises at the Aztec West Business Park, in Almondsbury. Officers were called to the site at around 6.30am this morning (Tuesday 1 July).
“A 30-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, both from London, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, unauthorised entry to a prohibited place, and locking on to a person, object or land to cause serious disruption.
“They remain in police custody and enquiries are ongoing. We’re committed to facilitating people’s right to peaceful protest, but will not tolerate any criminal behaviour.”
Bristol Palestine Alliance protesting the planned proscription of Palestine Action.(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Palestine Action say the Bristol hub is the company’s main site in Britain and claims it manufactures weapons for the Israeli military. Elbit Systems has denied this, saying nothing made in Bristol is sold to Israel.
However, linked company Elbit Systems Ltd is an Israeli-based defence company. Palestine Action has repeatedly targeted Bristol’s Elbit Systems UK headquarters since the facility opened in 2021.
The incident comes as a draft order was laid before Parliament on Monday to amend the Terrorism Act 2000, to include Palestine Action as a proscribed organisation.
If approved, it would become a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to be a member of the direct action group, or to support it. MPs and peers are expected to debate the legislation on Wednesday and Thursday and, if approved, the ban could come into force by Friday.
A Palestine Action spokesperson said: “While the Government is rushing through Parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza.
“Palestine Action affirms that direct action is necessary in the face of Israel’s ongoing crimes against humanity of genocide, apartheid, and occupation, and to end British facilitation of those crimes.”
The group also occupied the rooftop of UK subcontractor Guardtech Group, the spokesperson added.
Commenting on the proscription on Monday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The right to protest and the right to free speech are the cornerstone of our democracy, and there are countless campaign groups that freely exercise those rights. Violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protests.”