PALESTINE campaigners today blockaded the London offices of a political lobbying group which they said touts for business for a notorious Israeli arms manufacturer.

Activists from Palestine Action said United States-based Apco Worldwide includes among its clients Israeli-owned Elbit Systems.

The company has five factories in Britain manufacturing arms which it sells to Israel.

Elbit-made weapons include military drones and pilotless warplanes used in Israel’s current slaughter in Gaza and Lebanon.

The activists locked themselves together across the Apco offices’ entrance.

They also sprayed the building with red paint symbolising the blood of Palestinians. 

Palestine Action said Apco had lobbied the British government for weapons contracts on behalf of Elbit Systems.

The direct action group said: “Apco is a provider of consultant lobbying services to Elbit Systems UK, a major exporter of drone components to Israel and a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd which provides for the vast majority of Israel’s military drone and ground vehicles.

“At a time when Elbit System’s weapons are being used to commit genocide in Gaza, and a genocide within a genocide in north Gaza, Apco is working to represent Elbit in the halls of the British Parliament and government.”

The operation was the second mounted against Apco by Palestine Action in the last two months. Activists carried out a similar protest on September 3.

Elbit’s factory in Oldham in Greater Manchester was shut down permanently in February 2023, after more than a year of occupation by Palestine Action and regular protests by Palestine support groups from Manchester and the Oldham Peace and Justice group.

Palestine Action said 16 of its activists were currently in jail in Britain, 10 of whom had been detained under anti-terrorism legislation.

“These individuals have been imprisoned using powers abused at the request of Israel’s war machine,” the campaign group said.

“Freedom of information responses show that not only Elbit, but the Israeli embassy, have lobbied the British state to take greater repressive action against Palestine Action activists.”

Palestine Action was founded in 2020 when its activists targeted Elbit Systems’ factories and offices in Britain for occupations, blockades and damage to weapons manufacturing machinery. 

An Apco spokesperson said: “Protesters targeted Apco’s UK office early on the morning of Friday 25th October. Police attended and the protest swiftly concluded. The protest related to a matter with a former APCO client. None of our employees were harmed.”