UK NGOs Stand with Palestine Action in Protest against Elbit Systems

Ten prominent non-governmental organizations in the UK voiced solidarity on Tuesday with the Palestine Action group, which has staged protests at facilities of defense technology company Elbit Systems over alleged arms shipments to Israel.

In a joint statement, the NGOs—including Black Lives Matter UK, Just Stop Oil, CAGE International, and Free Political Prisoners—acknowledged the reported financial impact of Palestine Action’s activities, which they claim cost Elbit Systems tens of millions of British pounds over the past year.

"Every action which disrupts the supply chain of weapons being used in the ongoing genocide [in Gaza] is the moral thing to do and worthy of support. Direct action has never been more necessary," the statement read.

The NGOs emphasized that as the Israeli campaign against Palestinians has intensified, Palestine Action has likewise increased its protest activities. They said the group has faced “frequent attack from the Zionist lobby.”

The statement also cited documents indicating that Elbit Systems and the Israeli regime have urged the UK police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Attorney General’s office, and government ministers to clamp down on Palestine Action, including calls for an outright ban on the group.

The NGOs further noted that Palestine Action currently has "16 political prisoners" in the UK, 11 of whom await trial, and that activists have been subjected to police raids, airport stops, and smear campaigns.

"Yet despite the obstacles, Palestine Action continues to put their liberty on the line for the liberation of Palestine. We stand in full solidarity with Palestine Action and call on all people of conscience to show their support for the group," the statement concluded.