Support The EDO Decommissioners

More than 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces between December 27th and January18th, more than 400 of which were children. They deliberately targeted individuals in their homes, schools, hospitals as well as U.N compounds.

EDO MBM make vital components for the Paveway munitions, and bomb release clips for F15 and F16 fighter aircraft and have contracts with the Israeli Military

During the bombardment six ordinary people took disarmament into their own hands for the well-being of those in Gaza where governments and international law  failed to act.

“If you hear the sound of a child being brutalised in the house next door and you rush in to smash the door down and save the child, should you be charged with breaking and entering? Obviously not.” Wrote  Eamonn McCann of the Raytheon 9.

Nine people have been charged with Criminal Damage, and conspiracy to cause criminal damage, they have put their freedom on the line and they need your support, especially Elijah James Smith a year on remand without trial.

Elijah Smith was transferred to Elmley Prison in Kent on Friday 22nd January and probably will remain there until March.

Letters of support now really important as he’s likely to be short of visitors.

Elijah Smith, VP 7551,  Sheppey Cluster (Elmley), Church Rd,  Eastchurch, Sheerness, Kent, ME 12 4DZ.

For those who can visit, times are 2pm-4pm daily

Book a visit on 01795882272

Please start sending letters of support or visiting to keep his spirits up and please Sign Our Petition

To find out what happened on the day click here.

There was a hearing relating to the decommissioners’ case at Hove Crown Court on December 1st where the prosecutors failed in their attempt to join the case of the EDO decommissioning court case with criminal damage charges arising out of the previous month long rooftop occupation of Raytheon in Bristol.

The 9 people in the decommissioning case unfortunately didn’t succeed in their challenge of the “no contact” clause of their bail conditions and are therefore still prevented from contacting or seeing each other. Which is leading to difficulties, including the arrest of three at the target Brimar demonstration in Manchester.

Decommissioner Elijah Smith has now been on remand for over 10 months and is likely to stay in prison until the court case which now starts on the 17th of May 2010. He could do with as much support as possible. He has recently been moved back to Lewes. Please write to him at

Elijah Smith VP 7551, HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA ENGLAND

Elijah Smith is still in jail 1 year on from his part in the decommissioning of the EDO/MBM/ITT factory in Brighton.  EDO make parts for the weapons  used by the Israeli army to bomb civilians in Gaza. Nobody was injured or harassed during their action, which was one of damage to property only. Elijah and his co-defendants did not resist arrest.

The trial will now be held on May 17th in the Brighton area

Matters are looking worse and worse for Elijah who is still on remand after one year in gaol.

Yes that’s right – one year in prison without trial.

It is possible that he will remain in prison until September as his trial for the occupation of the Raytheon roof in Frenchay business Park is scheduled for September 2nd at Bristol crown court.

His trial for witness intimidation resulting from a minor comment  made in court to EDO/MBM/ITT Managing Director Paul Hills is set to take place in August. Read the rest of this entry »

Support the Bristol Aid Convoy to Gaza and the Bristol Gaza Link. Building humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links between Bristol and the people of Gaza.

Since 2004 two managing directors of the company have confirmed the company owns the patents of two essential components used by the Israeli Air Force F16 aircraft called the VER-2. Read the rest of this entry »

For three consecutive days Carmel Agrexco in Hayes, Middlesex was blockaded to raise awareness over the continued sale of illegal settlement produce here in the UK. Protestors endured violence and aggression from both Carmel staff and police beyond enduring freezing temperatures and little sleep. In total five protestors were arrested.

On Friday, 6th November, pro-Palestinian activists carried out the first of what was to be three consecutive days of blockading at Carmel Agrexco’s depot in Hayes, Middlesex. The action saw a coalition of students from Kings, UCL, SOAS and Goldsmiths, saw members from Anachists Against the Wall and the International Solidarity Movement as well as other independent activists and individuals come together to implement the blockades. Read the rest of this entry »

A new 26 page pamphlet, entitled ‘If I Had a Hammer – Decommissioning the Arms Trade’ has been released in support of the decommissioning of EDO MBM in January 2009 during the bombing of Gaza. The pamphlet includes accounts by people who took part in the action and articles about EDO’s supply of weapons to Israel and from Trident Ploughshares and the Free Gaza movement. Download it here (print ready),

or click here for a version for reading on the web

Whilst searching for information on munitions and arms companies, I found this rather revealing page from an old EDO/MBM website page, they don’t reveal much to the general public these days.  click here To see VER 2 Bomb rack produced for Israeli F16 planes, which were used for war crimes in January this year.

An Amnesty International report shows evidence of grave war crimes in Gaza. Including evidence of crimes committed with F16 aircraft with EDO bomb release mechanisms see above. During the conflict around 1300 died and now six months after Israel launched its three-week military operation in Gaza. Gazans still cannot rebuild their lives. Click here to see 10 minute amnesty documentary showing evidence of F16’s committing war crimes

Three of the EDO Decommissioners appeared at  Yate magistrates on Monday 29th June. In a recent development they’ve been charged with criminal damage to the roof of the Raytheon offices at the business park in Frenchay. According to Premiere Holdings, the owners of the property, the amount of damage is £32000.  So a second crown court appereance awaits them, starting with a commital on August 24th. The campaign has it on good authority that it’s the Brighton police  pushing for the prosecutions as they are trying to build enough evidence for the E.D.O. case in October.
Read the rest of this entry »