One of Elbit Systems UK’s facilities in Bristol has been abruptly closed after years of protests by the group Palestine Action, which has now been designated a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act.
The factory, located in Aztec West Business Park, had been the target of dozens of direct actions, including blockades, rooftop occupations, window smashing, and red paint attacks. Elbit had leased the property in 2019 under a contract set to expire in 2029.
When journalists from The Guardian visited the site this week, the property was empty except for a security guard, with fences and barriers erected following repeated protests.
Elbit Systems UK, a branch of Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, reported an operating loss of £4.7 million last year, compared to a profit of £3.8 million in 2023. Experts attributed this to high security costs and ongoing pressure from activists.
This is not the first case: the company has also sold other facilities in West Midlands and Oldham following prolonged protests by Palestine Action and other peaceful groups.
Elbit Systems, with annual revenues of $6.8 billion, is described as the backbone of the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) drone fleet, widely used in the Gaza conflict. Its portfolio also includes systems for military aircraft, land vehicles, and remote-controlled naval assets.
Global arms trade expert Andrew Feinstein called the closure “extremely significant,” emphasizing that Elbit is one of the two most important companies in Israel’s military industry.
Although the Bristol closure is seen as a victory for activists, Elbit Systems UK remains part of a consortium competing for a £2 billion contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. Former Labour Minister Peter Hain has urged the government not to sign the deal, citing destruction in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Palestine Action has secured the right to a judicial review in November to challenge its proscription as an illegal organization. The Home Office is simultaneously seeking to overturn this decision on appeal on September 25.
The closure of this facility marks a significant moment in the battle between one of Israel’s arms industry giants and the activist movement opposing it in the UK.
