Three activists charged after protest at factory linked to Israeli firm

Three people have were  arrested and charged this week after a protest to close a factory in Staffordshire that produces Israeli drones.

Members of Palestine Action chained the factory gates of UAV Engines, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, then chained themselves to the site after painting the building red.

The action, which prevented staff from entering, was the group’s third protest targeting Elbit’s UK operations since September. 

Sarah Louise Wilkinson, 57, of Market Square, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, was due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday morning, Michael Smithers, 37, of Vernon Road, Ilford, Essex, and Emily Harriet Arnott, 27, of Fairfax Road, London, are due to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 17 February. 

Elbit is Israel’s largest private arms manufacturer. This month it won a £120 million Royal Navy contract. It already supplies drones to the British Army.