Protesters Target Israeli Defense Contractor Elbit Systems in Massachusetts
Introduction
Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, has been targeted by protesters in Massachusetts. The company has been accused of being complicit in war crimes against Palestinians during Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The protest, which took place outside a facility owned by Elbit subsidiary L3Harris Technologies in Burlington, was part of a larger campaign by the Stop the Wars Coalition calling for an end to US support for Israel and its apartheid policies. The demonstration highlights the growing awareness and activism against Israel’s human rights abuses and the role of international companies in enabling them.
Background on Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems is Israel’s largest defense contractor, providing equipment and services to the Israeli military and security forces. The company specializes in surveillance and intelligence systems, drones, and cyber technology. Elbit has been accused of complicity in war crimes against Palestinians, including the use of drones to monitor and attack civilians and the construction of the separation wall that cuts through Palestinian land.
Elbit Systems has also been targeted by activists in Europe and the US for its role in Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as its ties to other oppressive regimes. The company has faced protests and divestment campaigns by universities, pension funds, and other organizations.
Protesters Call for an End to US Support for Israel
The protest outside the L3Harris facility in Burlington was organized by the Stop the Wars Coalition, a grassroots group that opposes US military interventions and the US’s support for Israel. The demonstrators called for an end to US aid to Israel, which amounts to over $3.8 billion annually, and for an end to complicity with Israel’s human rights abuses.
The protesters also called for L3Harris Technologies to cut ties with Elbit Systems, which the coalition claims profits from the oppression of Palestinians. According to the coalition’s website, “By providing security technology and systems to Israel, L3Harris Technologies is enabling the colonization and dispossession of Palestinian land.”
Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Abuses
Elbit Systems is just one of many international companies that profit from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. From construction companies that build settlements to banks that finance them, the Israeli occupation has created a lucrative market for companies willing to ignore international law and human rights abuses.
Activists and human rights organizations have called for boycotts and divestment campaigns to pressure these companies to end their complicity in the occupation. The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has been particularly effective in raising awareness about the role of international companies in enabling Israel’s human rights abuses.
The campaign has successfully pressured companies like Veolia, G4S, and SodaStream to withdraw from the Israeli market. However, many companies continue to profit from the occupation, and the campaign faces constant opposition and attempts at censorship.
The Importance of Corporate Accountability
The protest outside the L3Harris facility in Burlington highlights the importance of holding companies accountable for their role in enabling human rights abuses. As consumers and investors, we have the power to make ethical choices and demand that companies respect human rights and international law.
The campaign against Elbit Systems and other companies involved in the occupation is part of a larger movement for corporate accountability and ethical investment. As more people become aware of the impact of their consumption and investment choices, we can collectively pressure companies to prioritize human rights and sustainability over profit.
The Need for Action
The protest outside the L3Harris facility in Burlington was a powerful statement against Israel’s human rights abuses and the complicity of international companies in enabling them. However, more action is needed to bring an end to the occupation and hold companies accountable for their role in it.
As consumers and investors, we can choose to support companies that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices and divest from those that profit from oppression and injustice. We can pressure our elected officials to end US support for Israel’s occupation and human rights abuses and support legislation that promotes corporate accountability and human rights.
The fight for Palestinian liberation and justice is a global struggle that requires collective action and solidarity. The protest at the L3Harris facility in Burlington is just one example of the growing awareness and activism against Israeli apartheid and the role of international companies in enabling it. It is up to us to take action and demand accountability for human rights abuses wherever they occur.