Palestine Action protest Teledyne, Elbit weapon export to 'Israel'
3 Min Read
The protesters climbed on the roof of Teledyne's factory site, raised a Palestinian flag, and shouted "Free Palestine."
-
Palestine Action activists protesting against Teledyne factory in West Yorkshire in the UK on April 2, 2024. ( X / @Pal_action)
UK-based Palestine Action activists "occupied" a US-owned Teledyne factory in West Yorkshire in the UK on April 2 because it exports weapons for the Israeli occupation forces.
In its statement, the group said, "Breaching security, the activists have scaled the factory to take the roof, forcing the site closed and rendering it unable to fulfill its shipment of weapons parts to be used in the Gaza genocide."
It is noteworthy that the group announced today that four of its activists were arrested following the protest at the Teledyne factory.
Four actionists arrested after they halted the production of parts for Israel’s missiles — They #ShutTeledyneDown pic.twitter.com/oKxn94WJrg
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) April 3, 2024
At least 86 licenses to 'Israel' between 2009-2014 alone
They added that at least 86 licenses for weapons exports to "Israel" were given to this site from 2009 to 2014 which, according to the protesters, makes Teledyne the largest exporter of weaponry from the UK to "Israel".
"A significant proportion of the company’s almost 200 export licenses for weapons and weapons parts to the US, 2009-2020, will also form into finished products ultimately exported to Israel," it stressed.
The statement added that Teledyne produces parts, including filters and multi-function assemblies, for UAVs, aircraft, and radar systems, including the AN/APG-81 (AESA) type fitted in Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.
"Teledyne, the parent company, also produces image sensors for military applications and radar technologies around the borders of the occupied West Bank and Gaza while also providing armed UAVs to Israel as far back as 1973," it emphasized.
Free Palestine
Video footage released by the group shows one of its activists climbing onto the roof and hitting it with a hammer while chanting "For the forced starvation, for the genocide, for the gang rape of women, for the bombing of churches, for the bombing of mosques."
Another footage also shows one activist breaking the windows and hitting the roof of the Teledyne Defence and Space's site.
On the same roof, the protestors held up a Palestinian flag and yelled "Free Palestine".
BREAKING: Palestine Action is on the roof of Teledyne’s weapons factory in Shipley, West Yorkshire!
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) April 2, 2024
The site produces components for missiles and F-35 fighter jets used by the Israeli military to commit genocide in Gaza.
Join us at Teledyne, Acorn Park, Shipley, BD17 7SW! pic.twitter.com/sbERLM8wqR
Palestine Action continues to protest against Elbit
Today, Palestine Action announced on X that its activists blocked the road in and out of Elbit’s UAV Engines factory in the UK.
"UAV Engines make engines to power Israeli military drones which are marketed as “battle-tested” on the Palestinian people," it added.
The group emphasized that it shut Elbit down, adding that Shenstone is its next protest target.
BREAKING: Palestine Action block the road in and out of Elbit’s UAV Engines factory.
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) April 3, 2024
UAV Engines make engines to power Israeli military drones which are marketed as “battle-tested” on the Palestinian people.
We’ve permanently shut Elbit down in Tamworth — next up, Shenstone! pic.twitter.com/JdfVQVxWZp
On March 28, Palestine Action also compelled Elbit Systems, "Israel’s" largest arms company, to permanently close yet another weapons factory in the UK, despite facing arrests, raids, and imprisonment.
The group announced on March 28 that its efforts have led to the permanent closure of Elbit Systems' Elite KL factory in Tamworth, Staffordshire. This marks the third Elbit Systems site in the UK to be forced to shutter permanently by Palestine Action.
As per the pro-Palestine group's statement, the company had previously produced cooling and power management systems for military vehicles but was later sold due to declining profits and rising security expenses attributed to the actions of Palestine Action.
