Protestors occupied the Aviva Centre in Bristol, demanding action against military actions in Gaza. The demonstration lasted for several hours today.
One activist climbed up on the building’s overhang. Another spray-painted messages on the glass front. They wrote things like ‘Pal Action’ and ‘Elbit Out’.
Palestine Action, the group behind the protest, claims Aviva provides insurance for a drone engine factory linked to Elbit Systems. This company is a major player in Israel’s military tech scene.
They pointed out that even though Aviva doesn’t hold direct shares in Elbit anymore, they still insure the factory. Plus, they have investments in funds that include Elbit shares.
The protestors argue that Aviva is helping to create drone engines used in Israel’s military operations. They mentioned specific drones like the Hermes 450 and the Harop.
Palestine Action has also targeted Allianz offices, claiming they provide insurance for Elbit’s UK branches. They’ve taken action against multiple Allianz locations in Britain and Ireland.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said that without Aviva’s insurance, Elbit couldn’t operate in the UK. They plan to keep protesting against companies like Aviva as long as they support actions against Palestine.
