Overview

• The Guardian observed the Aztec West facility in Bristol deserted this week with only a security guard present, though Elbit Systems UK’s lease reportedly runs until 2029.
• The site had faced repeated direct actions including lock-ons, rooftop occupations, window-smashing and red paint attacks, with an incident reported on 1 July.
• The UK government banned Palestine Action on 4 July under the Terrorism Act, following a break-in at RAF Brize Norton in which planes were attacked with paint and crowbars.
• Six campaigners seeking to lift the ban were charged with terrorism offences this week over alleged support for the group and were granted bail after dawn raids led by the Counter Terrorism Command.
• Elbit Systems UK has reported operating losses and sold subsidiaries as a Court of Appeal hearing on 25 September is set to review permission for a legal challenge to the ban, while reporting indicates its consortium is close to a roughly £2bn MoD deal facing political pushback.