BRISTOL residents joined the fight against a local Israeli weapons factory today over its role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Around 40 people blockaded an Elbit Systems factory in the north of the city this morning, forming a line to prevent vehicles from entering the site while encouraging workers to join them. 

The firm is Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer and supplies 85 per cent of the country’s drone fleet, as well as land-based equipment, ammunition, missiles, digital warfare and training simulators.

Jan Taylor who lives near the site said: “Elbit has persistently ignored Bristol residents’ cries to stop supporting genocide in Gaza.

“Imagine if it was our children being carpet bombed? Elbit need to acknowledge their part in this.”

Another resident, Daniel Clark, said: “Not on my land. I was born and raised in Bristol and I can’t believe this is still going on. 

“Elbit declares its weapons are ‘battle ready’ as they have tested their equipment on innocent Palestinians. Get out Elbit!”

Last November, Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis announced that it had “ramped up” its weapons production to arm Israel’s war on Gaza. 

The firm went on to report a 68 per cent rise in quarterly net profit earlier this year.

Activists from Palestine Action have been conducting a vigorous campaign against the manufacturer, which operates 16 sites across Britain.

Activists forced Elbit’s site in Tamworth to permanently close down, while the targeting of Barclays branches prompted the bank to sell all its shares in the company.

Last week, PR firm Apco Worldwide dumped Elbit after it was repeatedly targeted by the activists.