US Treasury sanctions Palestine Action group

The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Wednesday against Palestine Action, placing the organization on its sanctions list. The group was founded in July 2020 and carried out its first action by occupying a weapons factory in Leicester, England, where its members filmed unmanned aerial vehicle production and halted operations for a week. Palestine Action said its actions led to the closure of two of Elbit Systems' ten UK factories, the Israeli defense company's main private-sector weapons manufacturer. The group said the disruption caused millions of dollars in losses to the company. More than 250 of its members have been detained during the course of these actions. According to the Treasury designation, Elbit Systems supplies the Israeli military with 85% of its land and air munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles used in daily surveillance and regular strikes, and all components for Israeli aircraft. The group has cited the United Kingdom's responsibility for Israeli policies toward Palestinians as the justification for its actions.