People in Bristol gathered today outside Israeli company Elbit Systems’ Filton factory to hold a protest marking two years since the outbreak of violence in Gaza, which campaigners labelled as genocide.
The event, organised by Bristol Families for Palestine, took place on Bolingbroke Way, bringing together children, parents, and grandparents in a call to end UK arms sales to Israel.
This protest included activities designed to appeal to young people with activities including songs, workshops and speeches. Organisers said that the protest gave space for children and young people to voice their care and concern for Palestinian lives, describing feelings of helplessness and anger watching the continuing violence over the last two years.
A co-organiser from Bristol Families for Palestine said, “We are protesting in solidarity with the men, women and children of Palestine and to give creative outlet for our children’s grief and righteous rage at what grownups have allowed to happen during their young lifetimes.” Previous strikes by the group have focused on schools and the council, but today marked the first “all age” strike at the Filton factory.
Elbit Systems UK, the firm’s British branch, opened the Filton site in July 2023, attended by the Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotevely and former Conservative MP Jack Lopresti. The company produces military equipment, including 85% of Israel’s drone fleet, which campaigners argued are “battle-proven” on Palestinians and heavily used in assaults on Gaza since October 2023.
Elbit’s Headquarters in Almondsbury closed earlier this year. Reasons are unclear, but both the HQ and factory have long been common sites of direct action and protest in Bristol, with groups demanding to shut Elbit down. Campaigners also accused current Labour MP for the constituency Claire Hazelgrove of being supportive of the industry.
Campaigners argued that the UK government continues to provide contracts and grant export licences to Elbit and other manufacturers, actively participating in the conflict by maintaining weapons sales.
Protesters called on Bristol City Council to end property leases with weapons firms and for the British government to halt arms sales to Israel. The group also demanded immediate sanctions, the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador, and an end to what they call “the silencing of Palestine solidarity” within the UK.
Young strikers have also voiced solidarity, saying, “To the children in Palestine, we hear you, we see you, we love you, we are forever praying for you. They are children just like us—our brothers, sisters, cousins, friends.” The protest followed eight previous school and university strikes, but today’s is the first inclusive of all ages and held outside Elbit’s factory.
As the protest unfolded, Bristol families called for attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and demanded concrete action from local and national authorities to end arms sales and show solidarity with Palestine.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with hundreds more deaths reported after the latest ceasefire, alleging ongoing military occupation and severe blockade.
