[News] Property giant cuts ties with Elbit Systems

[Anti-Imperialist News]

Barclays latest disclosures show they fully divested from Elbit

LondonMetric, the landlords of Elbit's 'UAV Tactical Systems' drone 
factory, has sold the site on after a targeted direct action campaign 
calling on them to cut ties with Israel's largest weapons company. After 
struggling to find a buyer, LondonMetric have now relinquished their 
interest in Elbit Systems, despite what it claims is a strong commercial 
potential of the site.
The result comes after concerted efforts by Palestine Action, joined by 
the Youth Front for Palestine (YFFP), against the offices and premises 
of LondonMetrics, a FTSE 100-listed company with a property portfolio 
worth £6billion. To raise the costs of their doing business with Elbit, 
direct action activists smashed windows, painted premises blood-red, and 
blockaded the entry to their offices. YFFP have crashed London Metrics 
offices and staged demonstrations outside, to condemn their profiteering 
from genocide.
The estate agents for the U-TacS site readily admit the difficulties of 
sale due to "political activity at the property" 
<https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.CASeAZo2rbazGNtD87grVakL8FE_6sevsVXARqbb7NFun8WygUHcpD4OpRk1cRdWSVOo69EJVTkneu-sPkVLOPDx7WiVu8Gkhdl1N6tIaZaHOmT-Mhs0lT3tz6G4jrLHAlQNeR84DoBb9qv0EB-sRPdl4X9nEaBv5UksHWC8AfXMRlcU6t_7geYZkZAIuItAr1Gq9AENAL0pzuxofy8ywQVQRQz1nkWplfelsgcIiKmKNNY6WXYFRX-u40jshrUHxJ_RtxjIfilp1Il8-UVtTHKZly20pbDvBVMJzecBLz1zvQtec7BCE8XJ3try6UkzjkXwpLJ-u9T8IaW3_lJ0n5TpTXwG7OCaOLtHo2TRJQ9COTtf6hR0b1hnoi248nRi/4e0/PJsks0uTTSiTWCHyREWzJA/h0/h001.h3lULJsUSJiGE5U6e7uyCkiYfFIKMr5UbzsmIJ9X0F4>, 
which led to multiple top-bidders pulling out, inevitably leading to a 
cut-price sale in order for LondonMetric to cut ties.
Palestine Action's strategy both targets Israeli weapons factories, and 
all those who facilitate their deadly trade. Actionists regularly shut 
down Elbit's Leicester factory by blockading them, driving a van into 
the front of the site, occupying the roof and systematically dismantling 
the drone production site.
Our strategic direct action campaign has led to numerous companies 
pulling out of working with Elbit, as they now understand that the 
benefit of working with Elbit doesn't outweigh the consequence of 
Palestine Action.


  *Barclays Update*

Several months ago, Palestine Action announced that Barclays disclosures 
show they no longer hold shares in Elbit Systems. Due to the full 
divestment, Barclays received an automatic dividend of 74 shares in the 
third financial quarter of 2024. Now, their latest reports dated 13th 
February 2025 
<https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.jKO93QIJgh5wgOzMsxCi-K_AXtCRUfbVHrLSp6UGkHk0hLzhF4BW8v599XkT4BG61e4hbZ6BuXe-2k-X6cvc50BGvBgybHpv0mYProVii5xCXpGZzy6Vpj8-i_d8qO3KGfD4KQw_TSjQa1VVVBBNRuF1qlQYCqE9LbH3-1Szhl2L_SLYa0oTuggjtY7UN9SD5rwKtn3wA2VOCS5Z4QSlyAW9I4qvm-5OlL2trhzNQZDSSMuvZrZTgQ0XTOPGmunGxplj8kZ1Rsi6_o_gGT_GaHEIgjHjn3-N1aD9q2f4NagiERlwEkZ2RBuTHOoTHKCFVlUKGpCnhUa9120_6srwwvUK-o01uMfhYGhGvThCICQ/4e0/PJsks0uTTSiTWCHyREWzJA/h3/h001.NTSQZCoIjOqiQrVtdUop6gv4WoeBCd4rvJlZE9Iur1I>, 
show once again that Barclays has no shares in Elbit, demonstrating 
their full divestment from the Israeli weapons maker.
In order to have received the dividend, Barclays must have pulled their 
shares out of Elbit in the last two weeks of June - just after Palestine 
Action, alongside 'Shut the System', targeted 20 branches overnight. 
Many of those branches remained shut for several weeks due to the damage 
incurred.
Palestine Action joined the campaign against Barclays due to the 
investment in our primary target, Elbit Systems. The success of the 
campaign further demonstrates the benefits of having a focused, 
sustained direct action campaign.
Companies are pulling out left, right and centre. Those who still work 
with Elbit, must expect Palestine Action.

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