Activists break into Leicester factory owned by Israeli firm Elbit Systems

Activists in the British city of Leicester have abseiled through the roof of a factory owned by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. 

The campaigners are part of a group named “People Against Genocide”.

On Friday morning, they occupied the roof of a factory belonging to UAV Tactical Systems, which is owned by Elbit Systems UK, the British subsidiary of Israel's largest weapons manufacturer. 

According to media group The Aftershock, the activists used ladders to climb over razor-wire fencing to enter the premises. 

After occupying the roof, they drilled holes into it and subsequently abseiled into the building. 

Video footage circulating online showed the activists breaking a ceiling and entering the factory. 

The Aftershock reported that the ceiling of the clean room, where Israeli drone parts are reportedly made, was broken. It said that such contamination of the clean room could knock it out of use for some months. 

One of the activists involved said: “We are sick and tired of our government’s collaboration in this genocide that Israel is committing on the Palestinian people."

BREAKING: 'People Against Genocide' have abseiled through the roof of Elbit's arms factory in Leicester.

They're breaking the ceiling of the clean room used to make key parts for Israeli military drones.

Contaminating the clean room can knock it out of use for several months. pic.twitter.com/BplVIb33bF

— The Aftershock (@The_Aftershock_) April 24, 2026

"We know that genocide has no place in this world - so that’s why we’re here to shut Elbit down,” they added.

Elbit Systems provides around 85 percent of Israel’s drones and land-based military equipment, and has played a major role in supplying Israel with weaponry for its genocide in Gaza.

The defence firm, which has around 20,000 staff and revenues of $2bn, has been a regular target of pro-Palestinian activists in the UK over its links to Israel.

Last year a report by Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for Palestine, said that “for Israeli companies such as Elbit Systems… the ongoing genocide has been a profitable venture”.

Since 2023, Elbit's UK arm has run the Ministry of Defence's Project Vulcan, a £57m contract of simulation-based training for tank crews.

Elbit subsidiaries in Britain have had their headquarters targeted by direct action groups, including Palestine Action, which the government last year banned as a terrorist organisation.