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Israeli arms factory in Tamworth UK shut down permanently by protestors, who bled the factory's funds dry by forcing increased security costs, through repeated site invasions and sabotage. (socialistworker.co.uk)
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by MaoTheLawn@hexbear.net to c/news@hexbear.net
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DIRECT ACTION GETS THE GOODS.

  • Palestine Action said, “This victory is a direct result of sustained direct action which has sought to make it impossible for Elbit to afford to operate in Britain.

  • “Before they sold the enterprise to a private equity syndicate, Elbit had reported that Elite KL operating profits had been slashed by over three-quarters, with Palestine Action responsible. Elbit directly cited the increased expenditure on security they’d been forced to make, and higher supply chain costs they faced.

  • The first action at the site, in November 2020, saw activists smash into the building covered in blood-red paint.

  • Between March and July 2021, roof-top occupations put the site out of action three times. Despite increased security, another roof-top occupation in July saw the site closed.

  • In February 2022, activists decommissioned the site for weeks—closed off after an occupation that saw over £250,000 of damage.

  • After this, Elbit erected a security perimeter around the site. One month later, six people were arrested after occupying the roof and smashing through, preventing the production of parts for Israel’s military machine.

FURTHERMORE:

  • After the sale was completed last month, Elite KL’s new owners, listed as Griffin Newco Ltd, confirmed in an email to Palestine Action that they will have nothing to do with the previous owners, Elbit, and have discontinued any arms manufacturing:

  • “Following the recent acquisition of Elite KL Limited by a UK investment syndicate, the newly appointed board has unanimously agreed to withdraw from all future defence contracts and terminate its association with its former parent company”.

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[-] RyanGosling@hexbear.net 4 points 7 months ago

Haven't read the article, but how is this possible financially? I can't imagine most defense contractors having their factories going bankrupt unless it's a niche, small business company like the aviation ones the CIA like to use. They seem to be a major player and couldn't afford security? Lol. If Israeli defense contractors are this big of a paper tiger then now I'm inspired to look for relevant sites in my location.

[-] MaoTheLawn@hexbear.net 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I guess because profits unmade are profits lost - and when you're dealing with expensive stuff like arms dealing, a halt to operations mean you bleed high profits for days.

If you blockade their entrances and make their shipments late, then the next place in the chain also gets affected, and given that Elsbit are being targeted countrywide (https://tribunemag.co.uk/2022/01/palestine-action-elbit-oldham-shut-down-israeli-weapons-factory), I'm sure it's becoming a logistical nightmare. When I worked at Amazon, I was surprised about the menial things that could bring a factory to a halt and make all the managers panic - a conveyor belt breaking, a truck breaking down in the entrance, etc etc.

Also you've got high cost machinery - that linked article notes police estimates of 500k in damages. Saboteurism is effective because jamming something cheap in the cogs of something expensive can cause a problem that lasts days.

There's also cost efficiency in disrupting safety laws - there's laws about markings in and around factories to ensure people don't walk into a dangerous area. You chuck paint on them? They've got to shut that area down, get a guy in to clean it up, and then repaint it. You've spent 20 quid, they've lost far more.

At a certain point Elsbit goes fuck it, I'll go somewhere with cheaper labour and a less annoying population.

this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2024
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