PALESTINE rights activists targeted two factories involved in supplying materials to an Israeli-owned arms manufacturer and left the sites covered in red paint today.

Palestine Action campaigners invaded the factories of APPH in Runcorn, Cheshire, and the Thales Group at Reading, Berkshire.

APPH makes hydraulic landing systems for aircraft and Thales produces electronic components.

Both factories supply Israeli-owned Elbit Systems, which manufactures pilotless aircraft for the Israeli military at factories in Britain.

The Palestine Action operations follow Elbit’s decision to sell off its factory at Oldham in Greater Manchester after a sustained campaign of occupations and protests.

But Elbit still operates at nine British sites and Palestine Action has said it will continue to target its supply chain.

Elbit drones and pilotless aircraft have been used in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Both APPH and Thales sites were covered in blood-red paint today to reflect the violence against Palestinians. The activists said they aimed to “destroy the tools of apartheid” in their action.

Palestine Action accused the firms of being “complicit in the murder, occupation and oppression of the people of Palestine, Yemen and more.

“Activists have once again acted to disrupt the supply of British-manufactured drones and weapons to Israel, targeting the sites of firms complicit in Elbit Systems’ facilitation of Israeli war crimes,” the group said in a statement.

“This double action marks an escalation of the campaign against Elbit following recent victories in the courts, with 11 activists walking free from charges over the past two months, and in the direct action campaign, with news breaking last month that the long-targeted Oldham factory has been forced to close permanently.

“Elbit are not able to operate without a network of complicit firms and accomplices, including APPH and Thales.

“APPH are actively working with Elbit on the landing gear for Elbit drones, including the Watchkeeper, manufactured for the British army and for the repression of refugees crossing the channel by the UK border force.”

The group said Elbit promotes its drones as “battle-tested” — meaning they have been used in attacks on Palestine. 

It said that APPH also supply parts for fighter jets used in Afghanistan and by Saudi Arabia in its bombardments of Yemen.

APPH and Thales were invited to comment.