Activists storm Israeli arms factory in Britain, disrupting drone production

Four activists from the 'People Against Genocide' organization successfully carried out a security breach at the UAV Tactical Systems facility in Leicester, UK, a site wholly owned by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. This action occurred despite intensive security reinforcements recently imposed by British authorities around the site, with activists managing to reach the heart of the vital facility.

The operation began at 3 AM on Friday, with participants using ten-meter ladders to overcome high fences equipped with barbed wire. Upon reaching the factory roof, the activists proceeded to use advanced power tools to cut through the roof and create openings that allowed them to access and directly damage the equipment and weapons inside.

The operation escalated as activists rappelled down ropes from the openings they made in the roof into the factory, where they specifically targeted the air supply system for the 'clean room.' This room is considered the sensitive nerve center of the facility, as it is used to manufacture precise components for military drones. The activists asserted that contaminating this sterile environment would put the factory out of service for several months.

In statements made by a group spokesperson to media sources, it was explained that this field action came as a result of the occupation's continued use of British-made weapons to kill civilians in the region. He pointed out that the targeted company represents a fundamental pillar in the industry of death and destruction, which necessitated direct intervention to disrupt this war machine based on British soil.

The activists emphasized that all traditional peaceful means, including petitions, protests, and political pressure, had failed to bring about real change or stop the supply of weapons to the occupation. They considered that decision-makers had become effectively complicit in the genocide in the Gaza Strip, which pushed them to bypass official channels and take direct action aimed at closing the facility and disrupting Israeli military supply chains.

It is worth noting that the targeted facility was a joint venture with the French company Thales before Elbit Systems fully acquired it at the beginning of this year. The company is responsible for developing 'Watchkeeper' drones, which actively participated in military operations in the Gaza Strip, and its name has also been linked to incidents targeting international aid workers, including World Central Kitchen staff in the spring of 2024.

Israel continues to kill people with British-made weapons, and we cannot stand idly by while Elbit Systems continues to manufacture death and destruction here in Leicester.