Officer sustain injury on duty
In the heart of Ulm, Germany, a series of events have unfolded surrounding the protest group 'Shut Elbit Down' and the Israeli defence company, Elbit Systems.
On September 8th, a group known as Palestine Action Germany broke into Elbit Systems' production site, causing significant damage. The police were compelled to use force in certain instances to carry out their duties, and one activist was arrested during the incident. Notably, the participants of the 'Shut Elbit Down' camp have denied any involvement in the break-in.
Fast forward to September 17th, and more than 100 activists from the same protest group have been demonstrating peacefully in front of one of Elbit Systems' sites in Ulm. The demonstration is scheduled to continue until September 21st. The activists' demands are clear: the closure of Elbit Systems' sites, an arms embargo for Israel, and an end to the occupation in Palestine.
Amal Tahrir, the organizer of the camp, stands in solidarity with Palestine Action and considers civil disobedience and the destruction of war equipment legitimate in the face of the ongoing genocide. The activists accuse Elbit Systems of being complicit in the war in the Gaza Strip, a conflict now referred to as genocide by the United Nations.
The dispute between the activists and the authorities occurred on Thursday during the demonstration, triggered by a person from the activists shouting a 'prohibited slogan'. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the individual.
Meanwhile, the state security department is investigating the break-in that took place on September 8th. Five suspects are currently in custody in relation to the incident.
It is important to note that Elbit Systems produces modern radio communication systems, night vision devices, drones, and cyber and guidance systems, including for the German army, in Ulm. The company's involvement in the Gaza Strip conflict has been a point of contention for the activists, who argue that Elbit's technologies force Palestinians into tents, terrorize, and kill them.
Amal Tahrir, in a powerful statement, said, 'Genocide begins here.'
As the events continue to unfold, the city of Ulm finds itself at the centre of a global debate, with the future of Elbit Systems' operations in the region hanging in the balance.
