Israeli weapons factory, Elbit Ferranti, shuts down for good
The Israeli drone maker Elbit Ferranti's weapons factory in Oldham, UK, has been forced to shut down thanks to pro-Palestinian activists' frequent protests.
-
Elbit Ferranti forced to sell and shut down its Israeli weapons factory.
News reported today that Elbit Systems Ltd UK subsidiary, Elbit Systems UK Ltd., sold the Power and Control Business of its subsidiary Ferranti Technologies Ltd to TT Electronics for $12 million in cash.
#ElbitSystemsUK sold the power & control business of its subsidiary Ferranti Technologies to @TTElectronics for approx. $12M. Ferranti's remaining business are planned to be integrated into Elbit Systems UK.
— Elbit Systems (@ElbitSystemsLtd) January 10, 2022
Read more: https://t.co/zsgoowC86i pic.twitter.com/ByLTZjO6Mw
It is good news. Elbit has finally sold Ferranti technology, with its continuing operation in Oldham becoming untenable, after 18 months of sustained direct action at the Elbit Ferranti site in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with 36 individuals detained.
Amazing show of courage, hard work and direct action from such a brilliant bunch of people to throw Israel's Elbit Ferranti Arms factory out of Oldham #ShutElbitDown pic.twitter.com/Je2udnD6DA
— MANPalestine Action (@ManPalestine) January 11, 2022
Pro-Palestinian Activists, most notably from Oldham Peace and Justice and Manchester Palestine Action, have protested regularly at the site ultimately succeeding in ending the factory’s production of specialist military technologies for “Israel’s” fleet of combat drones.
In a statement, the Palestine Action group declared their victory saying, “Palestine Action’s sustained campaign of direct action against Elbit Ferranti in Oldham proves ultimately successful as Elbit sell the subsidiary and pack their bags.”
A Palestine Action spokesperson commented on the issue by saying, “The sale of Ferranti and the closure of the Oldham factory is a huge victory for the movement. So far, our actions have undermined and disrupted operations – but this news vindicates our long-term strategy.”
#ShutElbitDown
— Juve Muhammad (@JuveYildiz) January 10, 2022
After 18 months of sustained direct action taken at the Elbit Ferranti site in Oldham, Elbit Ferranti forced to sell and shut down their weapons factory in Oldham #FreePalestine#AntiSemitic #AntiSemitism #AntiSemite #AntiSemitismus #AntiSemitismo pic.twitter.com/2FbGeADG96
“But 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,” the spokesperson added.
It is worth mentioning that the activists made it clear that the Elbit Ferranti site in Oldham had been specifically targeted due to the Israeli war crimes committed against Palestinian civilians using Elbit Ferranti products.
Ferranti also makes the Hermes drones' SpectroXR super long-range imaging technology. “Israel” has utilized Hermes drones extensively in Gaza bombardments, most notably during 2014 war on Gaza, which resulted in the martyrdom of over 2,200 Palestinians, including 526 children.
BDS wins, once again
This is not the only achieved victory against the Israeli occupation. On many levels, the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement has proven to be effective, leading "Israel" to dedicate resources, including money, government staff, and security services to undermine BDS and threaten its activists.
Read More: BDS Movement: "If we abandon Palestine, we abandon ourselves"
Boycotting origins in Palestine
Since the 1920s, Palestinians have mastered boycotting as a way of resisting the British mandate and the Zionist colonization, and in 1936, they organized a huge six-month strike in protest of the British support for Zionism.
In addition, the Resistance factions launched a popular boycott of Israeli products during the first Intifada (1987-1992), which led to a dynamic plunge in Israeli exports.
When all UN resolutions failed to stop "Israel" from violating international laws and continuing its crimes against Palestinian people and land, 170 different Palestinian bodies first launched the BDS movement in 2005.
Such campaigns against the Israeli crimes and attempts to whitewash, art-wash, or sportwash its crimes are here to stay and will attain victory on many levels.
