PALESTINE supporters shut down the London headquarters of an Israeli-owned arms firm for the third time in two weeks today.

Activists from Palestine Action chained themselves together across the entrance to the building at 77 Kingsway after spraying it with red dye representing the blood of Palestinians killed by the Israeli military.

The action was part of a nationwide campaign by Palestine Action to shut down the factories and offices of Elbit Systems UK, which makes drones and surveillance drones and pilotless attack aircraft for the Israeli military.

Palestine Action said in a statement: “The site has been sprayed in Palestine Action’s typical blood-red paint as Elbit’s involvement in the slaughter of Palestinian civilians is exposed by those taking action.

“Activists have continued to target the site as Israel’s repression of Palestinians in the occupied territories continues.

“Elbit products, such as surveillance technologies, small calibre munitions, and military drones — some of which are British-manufactured — have been deployed against Palestinians over the previous month, with Elbit’s continued operations in this country marking us as complicit in this Palestinian suffering.”

The group said that “action against Elbit Systems will continue unabated, despite increased police and court harassment and intimidation being taken against those standing against the suppliers of arms to war criminals.”

Two Palestine Action activists face trial on charges which include conspiracy, blackmail and criminal damage in relation to their occupation of an Elbit factory.

Palestine Action’s campaign against Elbit was launched in August 2020.

Elbit had five factories in Britain but the number was reduced to four when Elbit permanently closed its weapons factory at Oldham in Greater Manchester in February after a sustained campaign of occupations by Palestine Action and protests and blockades at the factory by other Palestine supporters.

The protests were supported by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, other Palestine groups from Manchester and activists from Oldham Peace and Justice Campaign.

Elbit also operates from other British sites, including a military base where it tests its weapons.

Most recently Palestine campaigners have targeted Elbit’s factory at Shenstone in Staffordshire where activists are also building support from the local community.