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<h1 class="reader-title">Double Down: Palestine Action’s Tactics
Intensify With Occupation and Local Support in Staffordshire</h1>
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<p><strong>PRESS RELEASE<br>
27/02/22<br>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>In a joint attack on Elbit Systems, two
locations in Staffordshire have been targeted by
Palestine Action activists, this afternoon.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Elite KL, in Tamworth, has been occupied by
several activists since 2.30PM this afternoon, whose
aim is to dismantle the factory known for
manufacturing drone components for Elbit Systems.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Meanwhile, protesters from the local
community have descended upon UAV Engines, in
Shenstone, to draw attention to UAV’s role in
fabricating weapons of war.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>With police stationed outside intending to protect the
site from protesters, activists have stormed, occupied
and are currently dismantling Elite KL’s property, as
part of their demand for an end to British complicity in
Israeli apartheid. As war and oppression continue across
the globe, we continue our stance against Britain’s role
in war, violence & militarism. </p>
<p>Today’s action marks the <strong>fourth </strong>time
Palestine Action have occupied Elite KL’s site, since
February 2021. Despite significantly heightened
security, as a result of our campaigns against Elite,
activists evaded police cars and security, climbing onto
the roof of the premesis and have smashed windows,
removed roof panels, sprayed our signature red paint and
attempted to cause damage to the machinery inside the
building. As with all our occupations, the aim is
to disrupt the flow of weapons to Israel.</p>
<p>Elite KL and its sister company Elbit-Kinetics produce
components that are essential for Elbits supply chain to
Israel’s occupation, such as military vests and systems
required for the functioning of Israeli made Merkava 4
battle tanks, marketed as maintaining “combat
experience” against Palestinians in Gaza. </p>
<p>In Shenstone, UAV Systems Ltd – who recently sent a
pitiful letter filled with lies which can be disproved
with a simple google of their operations to Shenstone
locals. Deceitfully undermining their role in the
Israeli weapons trade – are being targeted by
civilian protesters who want the business out of their
community. This comes after a relentless direct action
campaign in Oldham forced Elbit Ferranti to shut down
for good, as locals and other solidarity groups
persisted in plaguing the business. </p>
<p>As an Elbit subsidiary, UAV Engines has been in
Palestine Action’s scope since the direct action
initiative launced in July 2020. During 2021, activists
shut the site five times in five months. UAV Engines
manufacture engines and parts for Elbit’s drones,
including the <em>Hermes</em>, which Elbit describes as
the ‘backbone’ of Israel’s drone fleet.</p>
<p>Today’s actions are the latest in our mission to
#ShutElbitDown, with activists throughout the country
putting their liberties on the line in solidarity with
the Palestinian people. This sustained action is
disrupting the manufacturing of munitions and machinery
used to repress, murder, and surveil civilians in
Palestine, ensuring that this mass suffering is not
facilitated with British-made weapons. Palestine Action
have cost incalculable millions to the profiteers of war
crimes. Direct action will continue until Elbit is
permanently shut down.</p>
<p><strong>ENDS</strong></p>
<p><strong>NOTES TO EDITORS</strong><br>
If you would like any further information on Palestine
action, please contact <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:info@palestineaction.org">info@palestineaction.org</a> </p>
<p>Palestine Action is a direct-action network of groups
and individuals formed with the mandate of taking direct
action against Elbit Systems’ UK locations at grassroots
level, calling for them all to be shut down and for the
British government to end its complicity in Israeli
apartheid.</p>
<p><strong>ELBIT SYTEMS</strong></p>
<p>Company profile on Elbit Systems, including quote by
Israeli military general: <a
href="https://whoprofits.org/company/elbit-systems/"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://whoprofits.org/company/elbit-systems/</a></p>
<p>Role of Elbit drone in killing of four children paying
on Gaza beach in 2014: <a
href="https://theintercept.com/2018/08/11/israel-palestine-drone-strike-operation-protective-edge/"
rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://theintercept.com/2018/08/11/israel-palestine-drone-strike-operation-protective-edge/</a></p>
<p>More on the death and destruction inflicted by Elbit’s
drones upon Gaza: <a
href="https://corporatewatch.org/elbit-systems-company-profile-2/"
rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://corporatewatch.org/elbit-systems-company-profile-2/</a></p>
<p>Elbit surveillance technology for Israel’s apartheid
wall: <a
href="https://www.facing-finance.org/en/database/cases/elbit-systems-surveillance-system-torch-for-the-separation-barrier-in-israelpalestine/"
rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.facing-finance.org/en/database/cases/elbit-systems-surveillance-system-torch-for-the-separation-barrier-in-israelpalestine/</a></p>
<p>UK Ministry of Defence signs £102 million contract with
Elbit Systems UK for “sensor-to-shoot” system: <a
href="https://www.army-technology.com/news/uk-mod-orders-elbit-detect-and-destroy-system/"
rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.army-technology.com/news/uk-mod-orders-elbit-detect-and-destroy-system/</a></p>
<p><strong>ELITE KL</strong></p>
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<p><strong>UAV ENGINES</strong></p>
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