Activists target Israeli arms and drone manufacturer in Melbourne

Members of the Melbourne Palestine Action Coalition are currently occupying the roof and blockading the front of Elbit Systems, 235 Ingles St Port Melbourne.

This morning members of more than three anti war and peace activists groups scaled the wall of Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer in Port Melbourne. They dropped a nine meter banner, reading ‘Elbit Drones Kill Kids In Gaza #BDS’ and locked down the front gates of the building while constructing a replication of the Israeli Governments ’Separation Wall’.

Elbit systems is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of unmanned aerial drones used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in their ongoing offensive in Gaza and Elbit has profited over the month long attack with their share prices rising by 6.1% in July.

Israel’s ability to launch such devastating attacks with impunity largely stems from the vast international military cooperation and trade that it maintains with complicit governments across the world. By importing and exporting arms to Israel and facilitating the development of Israeli military technology, governments are effectively sending a clear message of approval for Israel’s military aggression, including its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.”

WACA (Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance) spokesperson Sam Castro stated ‘This is just the beginning of a global campaign to stop the war profiteering of private corporations off the people of Palestine and others around the world.”

Israel’s military technology is marketed as “field-tested” and exported across the world. Military trade and joint military-related research relations with Israel embolden Israeli impunity in committing grave violations of international law and facilitate the entrenchment of Israel’s system of occupation, colonization and systematic denial of Palestinian rights.

Ms Castro stated, “We are here today to call on the Australian Government to end military trade deals with Israel and cancel all domestic contracts with Elbit Systems. We, like many other groups around the world, call on the UN and all governments to take immediate steps to implement a comprehensive and legally binding military embargo on Israel, similar to that imposed on South Africa during apartheid.

ACTION BY WACA, RENEGADE ACTIVIST AND THE MELBOURNE PALESTINE ACTION COALITION
Sam Castro, Kaz Cochrane, WACA – WikiLeaks Australian Citizens Alliance,