On 10 June, direct-action network Palestine Action “stormed, scaled, and occupied the Runcorn Factory of APPH, a Canadian-owned aerospace company, which manufactures military technology and landing gear for Elbit Systems’ drones”. Elbit Systems is Israel’s biggest private arms company.
The Israeli state’s latest attack on Gaza in May killed 253 people, including 66 children. Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said the apartheid regime had committed war crimes. And as Palestine Action has previously insisted:
Neither Israeli war crimes nor Elbit Systems operate in isolation – they rely on a global supply chain of manufacturing, shipping, marketing and, of course, landlords, to function effectively. Palestine Action intend to break this murderous supply chain to save Palestinian lives.
BREAKING: Palestine Action has scaled the roof and seized control of the #Runcorn factory of APPH, knocking out Elbit's key supplier of technology for Israel's killer drones. #ShutElbitDown pic.twitter.com/71Vt0VIjRt
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 10, 2021
Destroying the tools of apartheid, piece by piece, until Palestine is free. It's time to prioritise people over profit! #ShutElbitDown pic.twitter.com/j1fyUmSrez
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 10, 2021
Components for death machines made by APPH, sold to Israel’s arms trade and destroyed by Palestine Action. That’s how you #ShutElbitDown! pic.twitter.com/oDuwTjG1cV
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 10, 2021
“Cease dealings with Elbit, or get shut down”
In a press release, Palestine Action said campaigners:
have broken into the factory to dismantle drone and aircraft machinery, have destroyed property including floodlights, ventilators, windows and cameras, have sprayed blood-red paint across premises, and are currently occupying the roof to prevent operations at the site.
It added:
Palestine Action will be targeting all firms which have dirtied their hands by partaking in Elbit’s business of bloodshed. … It should be clear by now that we will not rest until Elbit is shut down, making the choice clear for all complicit firms: cease dealings with Elbit, or get shut down along with them.
Main article image via VX Pictures