Activists blockade lobbying firm in London over ties with Israel arms manufacturer

Pro-Palestinian activists blockaded the London office of global advisory and advocacy company, APCO Worldwide, on Tuesday for lobbying Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems, Anadolu Agency reports.

Members of Palestine Action arrived at APCO Worldwide’s office in central London at 7.45 a.m., local time, and sprayed red paint on the premises by using “repurposed fire extinguishers”.

Three activists later attached themselves to each other using a lock-on device within a suitcase and blocked the entrance.

Activists also unfurled a banner that read: “Stop lobbying for Genocide. APCO Drop Elbit.”

READ: UK decision to suspend some arms for Israel frustrates both sides

Video shared by the group on social media showed police intervening as activists shouted: “Free Palestine.”

Palestine Action said: “APCO provides consultant lobbying services to Elbit Systems UK, at a time when Elbit is playing a central role in the genocide in Gaza,” citing the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists. “These lobbyists, including those who have previously secured back-door contracts for Elbit in the past, are working to shore up British support for Israel’s arms trade at a time when 16 activists are imprisoned for conscientious action taken against genocide.”

The group vowed further action as long as the UK continues arms exports to Israel.

READ: Israel places $760m ammunition orders with Elbit Systems in 2023