Direct Action works – Elbit Oldham Shut Down
JVL Introduction
Direct action action is often necessary and, sometimes, it works! Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions activists, Palestine Action have been taking action against the presence of the Elbit Ferranti factory in Oldham and this is now going to close. It is a victory that has been widely welcomed by all who stand for justice for Palestinians in the UK and throughout the world.
The factory is close to local residents who had been unaware that the company was manufacturing drones and pilotless aircraft that were supplied to the Israeli army and who have mostly been supportive of the activists.
Many people who support justice are tired of the procession of fine words of condemnation of Israeli actions, especially regarding Settlement expansion and disproportionate attacks on Gaza. These words have been issued, over many years, by British Labour and Conservative governments as well as by many governments of other countries but nothing has improved but have only got worse for Palestinian people, especially in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, where these drones have, allegedly, been deployed.
This article from Al Mayadeen includes an interview with Huda Ammori, one of the founders of Palestine Action.
This article was originally published by Al Mayadeen on Fri 14 Jan 2022. Read the original here.
‘Palestine Action’ Shares Their Story Of How They Took Down ‘Elbit Systems’ Weapons Manufacturer In Oldham, UK
An interview with Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, asking her questions about the successful campaign to shut down Elbit Systems in Oldham, UK.
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Well done to all those brave activists who have risked life, livelihood and literally limb to drive ELBIT the Israeli manufacturer of killer drones from our neighbourhoods and our shores. It’s a step beyond BDS of which the Zionists are so terrified. Check out the Palestine Action web site and support the activists if you can.
Congratulations to Palestine Action!
Solidarity!
Brilliant
Great news !
An important milestone in the campaign against the oppressive state of Israel.
I’ve followed PA’s actions against Elbit Systems and I’m hugely impressed by their courage and steadfastness in the face of police violence and thuggery. We on the Left have to recognise the central role actions such as these will play if we seriously want a better world. Some will call it violence; such it may be, but violence to destroy the machinery of war is always justifiable. I hope this is just the start.
As the article shows, Palestine Action’s multi-faceted campaign, combining courageous direct action and legally informed strategies, backed by mass demonstrations sustained over 18 months has forced Israel’s drone weapons manufacturer to abandon its factory in Oldham. But there is more to be done.
Elbit sold off its Ferranti Power and Control business to TT Electronics and in their own words: “Ferranti Power & Control offers a comprehensive range of military power supplies designed and engineered for aerospace applications. Our skilled electronic engineers are able to design tailored products to suit customer requirements.” ( TTE-Ferranti )
Drones will no longer be produced at Oldham, but the Israeli/British/American military complex, to mix metaphors will simply have re-located production.
As a Palestine Action spokesperson stated, “It’s not enough that just one of these death-factories shuts down. We want to see Elbit itself shut down for good, and all of their businesses forced out of Britain – we will keep escalating our actions until that happens.”
Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) were a major factor in turning world opinion against and in bringing down the apartheid regime in South Africa. This success by Palestine Action is a major step in the fight against Israeli apartheid. To be successful it is incumbent on us all to help build and strengthen the international movement responding to Palestinians call for BDS.
Please support the activists:
https://www.palestineaction.org/elbit-on-trial/
At last some seriously good news. A big thank you to all those that took part. ✊