PALESTINE Action have blocked the entrance to a manufacturer which supplies weapons to Israel, as it faces being banned and labelled a terrorist organisation.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday morning, the group said members had “locked on to each other to prevent access” to Elbit Systems in Bristol, blocking the only entrance to the building.
The group covered the building in red paint to “symbolise Palestinian bloodshed”.
In Suffolk, activists also occupied the rooftop of UK subcontractor Guardtech Group, posting an Instagram video stating that the firm is “a subsidiary factory to Elbit Systems, the largest supplier of weapons to Israel”.
It comes as a draft order was laid before Parliament to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 to include Palestine Action as a proscribed organisation.
If approved, it would become a criminal offence to support or be part of the group, carrying a possible jail sentence of up to 14 years.
MPs and peers are expected to debate the legislation on Wednesday and Thursday, and the ban could come into action as soon as Friday if approved.
A Palestine Action spokesperson said: “While the Government is rushing through Parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza.
“Palestine Action affirms that direct action is necessary in the face of Israel’s ongoing crimes against humanity of genocide, apartheid, and occupation, and to end British facilitation of those crimes.”
A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed to PA News Agency that officers were called to Elbit Systems in Bristol at around 6.30am on Tuesday.
“Officers are responding to a protest involving two people at a premises at the Aztec West Business Park, in Almondsbury,” the spokeswoman said.
“We’re committed to facilitating people’s right to peaceful protest, but will not tolerate any criminal behaviour.”
Palestine Action is seeking a legal challenge against the Government’s plans to proscribe it, with a hearing expected on Friday to decide if the ban can be temporarily blocked, pending further proceedings to determine whether or not a legal challenge can be brought.
A number of celebrities have now signed an open letter urging the Government not to proscribe Palestine Action, which states: “Palestine Action is intervening to stop a genocide. It is acting to save life.”
