The Bristol facility of Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, appears to have ceased operations unexpectedly, following years of direct action protests led by the activist group Palestine Action. The site, located in the Aztec West business park near the junction of the M4 and M5 motorways, was found deserted this week, with no staff present aside from a lone security guard. Elbit Systems UK declined to comment on the status of the site.
The closure marks a significant development in the ongoing campaign against Elbit’s UK operations. Since 2019, when Elbit took on the lease, originally held by Somerset Council and not due to expire until 2029, the Aztec West facility has been the focus of repeated demonstrations. Activists from Palestine Action employed tactics such as rooftop occupations, lock-on blockades, smashing windows, and covering the building in red paint to symbolise bloodshed. The most recent protest occurred on 1 July, just days before the group was proscribed under the Terrorism Act by the UK government.
Elbit Systems UK is a key part of Elbit Systems’ global footprint. The parent company, which reported revenues of $6.8 billion (£5 billion) last year, supplies around 85 per cent of the Israel Defense Forces’ drone fleet. Its portfolio includes advanced systems for military aircraft and helicopters, remote-controlled naval vessels, armoured land vehicles, and integrated command and control platforms. These technologies have been widely used in Israel’s military operations, including the ongoing offensive in Gaza.
The Aztec West site is one of several Elbit facilities in the UK that have faced sustained protest. Another site in Filton, also in Bristol, has been the subject of similar actions. Twenty-four individuals are currently awaiting trial in connection with protests at Filton, facing charges ranging from criminal damage and aggravated burglary to violent disorder. One protester has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.
Elbit Systems UK has faced mounting financial and reputational pressure. Its latest accounts reveal an operating loss of £4.7 million in the past year, a sharp reversal from the £3.8 million profit recorded in 2023. The company has also divested from several subsidiaries. In 2022, it sold Ferranti P&C, part of its Oldham-based operations, following 18 months of protests by Palestine Action and local peace campaigners. Last year, it sold Elite KL, a Tamworth-based subsidiary, after a 75 per cent drop in operating profit attributed to increased security costs. The new owners, Calatherm, announced they would sever all ties with Elbit and cancel its defence contracts.
Andrew Feinstein, a prominent critic of the global arms trade and former South African MP, described the closure of the Bristol site as “extremely significant”, highlighting Elbit’s role as a cornerstone of Israel’s military-industrial complex alongside Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Despite these setbacks, Elbit Systems UK remains in contention for a major £2 billion contract with the Ministry of Defence. The company is part of a consortium vying to become a strategic partner to the MoD. The bid has drawn criticism from former Labour cabinet minister Peter Hain, who recently urged Defence Secretary Jon Healey to reconsider the award in light of Elbit’s involvement in the Gaza conflict.
Meanwhile, Palestine Action has been granted permission to pursue a judicial review in November challenging its proscription under the Terrorism Act. The Home Secretary is expected to appeal the decision at a hearing scheduled for 25 September. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of protest and civil disobedience in the UK, particularly in relation to defence and foreign policy.
