Elbit factory shut down for a second time in two weeks in response to hunger strikes

A group of protesters have shut down the entrance to a factory belonging to Elbit Systems. The halt of Israel’s weapons supplier is one of the key demands of the anti-genocide activists. Eight prisoners, all being held on remand for allegedly taking action in solidarity with Palestine, have been on open ended hunger strike since the 2 November in British prisons. This is the biggest coordinated prison hunger strike in UK prisons since the 1981 H-block strike in the North of Ireland. Six of the hunger strikers have been hospitalised so far. Despite the enormity of the strike, the media coverage has been minimal, and the government fails to respond.

Hunger strikers’ demands

The prisoners demands are as follows:

1. Shut Elbit Systems down.

2. Immediate Bail.

3. Right to a fair trial.

4. End prison censorship.

5. Deproscribe Palestine Action.

The strikers demand the closure of all Elbit Systems sites and operations in the UK. Elbit Systems is an Israeli weapons manufacturer supplying 85% of the military equipment and drones, with key production taking place in the UK and exporting to Israel. The Ministry of Defence is now preparing for a £2.7bn contract with the company.

This week, Qesser Zuhrah, after 46 days on hunger strike, was denied access to several ambulances by prison officers and police at HMP Bronzefield for over 15 hours, despite her life threatening condition.

Shut down Elbit Systems

After a week of protest action across the city, this morning, people in Bristol responded to the strikers’ most crucial demand by blocking the entrance of an Elbit Systems factory located in Filton for several hours, for the second time in two weeks. The people involved prevented deliveries and employees from entering the site for several hours.

One person from the blockade said:

The ministry of justice and David Lammy are very willing to accept the deaths of the hunger strikers if it means they can keep the thriving weapons industry happy. We are unwavering in our solidarity with Palestinians and the strikers, and we demand in unison that these death factories are shut down.

The blockade took place at the same site that some hunger strikers are alleged to have taken action at in 2024, allegedly destroying millions of pounds worth of military equipment destined for shipment to Israel for use against the people of Gaza.

The 27 protesters are currently being dragged away by security, yet they continue to maintain the blockade.

 

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Qesser said in her statement announcing the strike:

Until our demands are met, we will resist. We ask our government now: are you willing to let us die before you stop arming a genocide?

Despite public and political pressure, the Labour government has yet to address the situation and meet with the prisoners and their legal representatives.

Featured image via Disarm Bristol