Activists from Palestine Action have blockaded Elbit Systems Instro Precision factory in Sandwich.
The activists split into two groups to block both entrances to Discovery Park, and attached themselves to each other using lock on devices to obstruct all possible access. At the main entrance, red paint was also sprayed across the road and pedestrian entrance path.
This is the second recent action targeting the factory, after more than 150 trade unionists from ‘Workers for Free Palestine’ picketed the factory entrances a fortnight ago.
Protestors say the company supplies Israel with weapons, including weapons sights for infantry and heavy artillery, to kill Palestinian people in Gaza.
Instro Precision, which is owned by Israeli military company Elbit Systems, says it is a supplier and system integrator of support equipment for military and commercial electro-optical sensors in the world. It says it supplies ‘high precision military equipment’ and specialises in support equipment like tripods and manual pan and tilt heads for military observation equipment. Instro produces observation, surveillance and targeting systems.
In 2019 the firm moved to Discovery Park from Broadstairs, where it had been the target of numerous protests. There have also been several protests at its site in Discovery Park.
The demonstration today comes amid escalated conflict in the Gaza Strip which broke out between Hamas in Palestine and Israel last month.
At least 9,770 people have been killed in nearly a month of Israeli strikes, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
In Israel, more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and some 3,300 others injured, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health after armed Hamas groups from the Gaza Strip launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on 7 October.
