Filton facility’s involvement in the ongoing genocide in Gaza has prompted a range of groups to take action there
~ Scott Harris ~
Around 40 protesters blocked the gates of Elbit Systems weapons factory in Filton, Bristol yesterday morning (10 October), preventing workers and deliveries from entering. The facility, which has been targeted by anti-war activists numerous times in the last two years, manufactures drones being used by the Israeli state in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Protest group Disarm Bristol said the protest was loud and energetic, featuring a sound system, chanting, Palestinian flags and large banners.
“Despite the UK government claiming to have suspended arms licenses to Israel and thousands of people demonstrating in the streets, weapons continue to flow from Bristol”, an activist was quoted in a press statement, “Bristolians will not sit idly by as Elbit stains our beloved city by linking us directly to the genocide.”
The Filton site was opened in July of last year, with Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotevely n attendance. Products seen inside the factory are the same as those used in the Gaza genocide, including Elbit’s Torch-X command and control systems, Thor quadcopter drones, and nv33 Night Vision technologies.
Elbit Systems, more broadly, supplies up to 85% of Israel’s military drones and land-based equipment, while its British exports to Israel mostly concern drone and aircraft components, military electronics, and target and acquisition systems.
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