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Palestine Action targets Kite Packaging in Sheppey Way, Bobbing, near Sittingbourne
16:13, 08 July 2024
updated: 10:53, 09 July 2024
A pro-Palestine group has claimed responsibility for causing “thousands of pounds of damage” to a packaging company.
Palestine Action activists attacked Kite Packaging’s base in Sheppey Way, Bobbing near Sittingbourne, this morning.
People wearing hoods filmed themselves causing the damage which included smashing windows and glass doors of the building.
They also spray painted graffiti on the building which says “Drop Elbit”. They also attacked some of the company's vehicles.
A Kite Packaging spokesman says the attack has cost the firm “thousands of pounds”.
They added that the company is “shocked and traumatised” by the “wanton attack” and that not a supplier to Elbit.
Elbit Systems develops and supplies a range of airborne, land and naval systems and services for defence, homeland security and commercial applications worldwide.
Its headquarters is in Israel and it is the primary provider of the Israeli military's land-based equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The pro-Palestine group claims Kite Packaging works with Instro Precision based at Sandwich Discovery Park which it broke into in June and argues this was confirmed by recording the contents inside the weapons factory.
It says Instro Precision manufactures weapon sights, target acquisition and electro-optics systems for the Israeli military, including the targeting systems for troop and vehicle ground operations in Gaza.
It also said the company had been granted more than 50 export licences for shipment of “ML5” category arms to Israel in a five-year period.
A Palestine Action spokesperson added: "We refuse to allow companies who are enabling the Gaza genocide through working with Israel's Elbit Systems to continue with business as usual.
“Through relentless action, we have acquired a wealth of knowledge on different firms who enable Elbit's deadly business. Actions will continue until the links end and Elbit is shut down for good."
The Kite Packaging spokesman said: “The Kite Packaging team are shocked and traumatised by this wanton attack.
“As an employee-owned company, Kite has recently made substantial investments into the site at Howt Green, trying to make a fantastic home for all our people.
“To have our investment and effort destroyed by vandals under the misguided impression that they are helping the people of Palestine is truly frightening.
“The building and vehicles suffered tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage, with windows smashed and the slogan “Drop Elbit” daubed on the building.
“Interestingly, we don’t even have a customer called Elbit who we believe may be the ultimate target of this group, which makes this situation even more perplexing.
“It is really sad that our honest and hard-working local employees now feel scared to come to work due to these events.”
A police spokesman said: “Kent Police is investigating a burglary reported at a business premises in Sheppey Way, Bobbing, which was believed to have happened at around 2am on Monday, July 8.
“During the incident several windows, doors and computers were broken, and spray paint was also used to damage the inside of the building.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.”
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