Pro-Palestine groups 'blockade' UK insurers over ties to Israeli arms firm Elbit

Pro-Palestine activists have carried out protests outside five UK offices belonging to two of the world's largest commercial insurance and reinsurance providers over their alleged links to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. 

Chubb and Sompo offices in Manchester, Glasgow, London and Maidstone faced disruption from campaigners who say that the insurers have provided underwriting for Elbit Systems and its subsidiary, UAV Engines, in Britain, as well as Elbit's US operations. 

Elbit, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, supplies drones, surveillance systems and other weapons to the Israeli military, including during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which began on 7 October 2023. 

According to the groups involved in the direct action, including Manchester-based Palestine Resistance Collective (PRC), Mothers Against Genocide Scotland and Boycott Bloody Insurance, protesters gathered outside Chubb's Glasgow office carrying banners and formed a 'red line' around the building while distributing leaflets to passers-by and office workers. 

A speech was delivered inside the building's lobby, and a letter was handed to Chubb's management calling on the insurer to sever its relationship with Elbit. 

In Manchester and London, protesters blockaded office entrances while making the same demand. 

In a statement, Andrew Taylor, a member of Boycott Bloody Insurance, a campaign group calling on insurance companies to end their support for "destructive companies",, said: "Israel relies on Elbit’s weapons and technology to enact its genocide and occupation in Palestine – and Elbit wouldn’t be able to operate without insurance from Chubb."

He added: "People of conscience all over Britain will continue to reject Chubb’s complicity in war crimes until they see it come to an end."

Boycott Bloody Insurance has also accused Chubb of having significant exposure to companies it considers destructive, ranking it among the worst-performing insurers for underwriting weapons, fossil fuel and border detention and surveillance companies. 

The group says this includes providing insurance to Lockheed Martin and several UK suppliers of components for F-35 fighter jets, which are also used by Israeli forces in military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories. 

The latest action follows moves by two other insurance firms, Allianz and Aviva, to end underwriting for Israel's largest arms manufacturer following sustained direct action by banned activist group Palestine Action. 

Allianz's coverage of Elbit Systems UK ended last November, while Aviva's employment liability insurance coverage for UAV Engines Ltd, an Elbit subsidiary, ended in last September. 

Elbit Systems UK is now reportedly receiving employer's liability insurance from Aspen Insurance, while UAV Engines is insured by Chubb.