The group Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for an armed attack against a defense company facility near Bristol, England on Tuesday.
The attack on the facility involved a van ramming through barriers at the entrance, followed by assaults on police and staff with melee weapons. As a result of the attack, one police officer was hospitalized after being hit with a sledgehammer, and an employee of Elbit Systems received treatment for a head injury. Riot police did not respond to the incident.
The militant activists used sledgehammers and axes to break into the facility, posting a video on social media showing them cutting into the warehouse, damaging equipment, and vandalizing the property with red paint.
“We’ve managed to break into the most secure Elbit facility. You’ve been Pal Actioned. Long live the resistance. Intifada, intifada now,” the group said.
A spokesperson for Elbit Systems UK confirmed that a security guard was injured and that the attack targeted vehicle training equipment made for the British armed forces. The company has also previously stated in court that it does not supply weapons to Israel.
Police arrested six individuals aged between 20 and 30 on suspicion of offenses including Section 18 wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, burglary, and criminal damage, according to the BBC. Superintendent Deepak Kenth emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that these actions went far beyond protests and were "very serious criminal offenses."
"Police officers are mums, dads, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters, like anyone else. They wear the uniform to protect the public,” Kenth said. "They come to work and they do not expect to be assaulted with weapons and that's why we will take the strongest possible action that is required on behalf of the public as well as my colleagues.”
