Police Ignore Over 1000 Letters Demanding Criminal Investigation Into Elbit Systems UK

TO: Sarah Crew <sarah.crew@avonandsomerset.police.uk>,
Mark Rowley <mark.rowley@met.police.uk>
CC: campaign@resistancekitchen.uk

[Your Name]
[Your Town]
[Your Email]
[Date]

Chief Constable Sarah Crew
Avon and Somerset Police Headquarters
(Elbit Systems Horizon Advanced Manufacturing, Research, and Development Hub, Filton)

Commissioner Mark Rowley
Metropolitan Police Service Headquarters

Ref: Criminal Investigation Into Elbit Systems UK

Dear Chief Constable Crew and Commissioner Rowley,

I write to urgently request a formal criminal investigation into Elbit Systems UK and its subsidiaries, including those operating at the Horizon Advanced Manufacturing, Research, and Development hub in Filton, for their involvement in supplying arms and military technology to Israel that are used in alleged crimes of genocide and other serious violations of international law. Whilst such an investigation is ongoing, all activities and shipments from Elbit Systems UK should be halted to prevent further crimes from being committed.

Evidence and Allegations:

There is credible and documented evidence, including cargo documentation and export licences, demonstrating the flow of military components, notably drone parts, from Elbit Systems UK and its subsidiaries to Israel. Of grave concern is the export of components for Elbit’s Hermes 450 drone, powered by a UK-made engine produced by Elbit subsidiary UAV Engines Limited. This drone has been directly implicated in lethal strikes, including the killing of British aid workers in Gaza. Reports from UK officials and investigations have confirmed seven aid workers, including three British nationals, were killed in one such strike executed by a Hermes 450 drone.

Additionally, quadcopter drones like those manufactured at the Horizon facility have been used in operations in Gaza that have resulted in the tragic deaths of many children. The British surgeon Professor Nizam Mamode has testified before Parliament regarding the devastating impact of these drones in targeting civilians, particularly children, emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of UK-supplied weaponry.

Israel’s Minister of Defense at the time Yoav Gallant, who has an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, bestowed the Israel Defense Prize 2024 on Elbit Systems for providing weaponry that “proved critical in maintaining Israel’s technological and operational superiority on the battlefield.”

Legal Framework Under UK Law:

Under the Export Control Order 2008 and the UK Consolidated Strategic Export Controls, UK companies are legally prohibited from exporting arms that could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law. Failure to adhere to these controls and to prevent exports that facilitate such grave crimes may constitute a breach of UK criminal statutes related to complicity in international crimes.

Relevant International Law:

• The Geneva Conventions, particularly Common Article 3 and Additional Protocol I, protect civilians and prohibit direct attacks on non-combatants during armed conflict.

  Independent UN reports and commissions have concluded that Israeli actions, in particular indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including health care workers and journalists; and civilian objects, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship amount to war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.

• The 1948 Genocide Convention (Article 1) requires states to prevent and punish genocide, defined as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, specific groups, including by killing members of such groups.

  Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and a UN Special Committee have all concluded that Israeli actions constitute genocide or genocidal acts under the definition of the Genocide Convention. 

• The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which the UK is a party, criminalizes genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including complicity therein.

  The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, charged them with responsibility for war crimes including starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The use of UK-supplied drone technology in military operations in Gaza that have led to disproportionate civilian casualties, including children and humanitarian workers, raises strong suspicion of violations of these international legal obligations.

Call for Action:

Given the documented cargo records, export licenses, and credible testimony linking Elbit Systems UK’s supply of drone technology to acts contributing to genocide and war crimes, I urgently call upon your offices to:

• Initiate a formal criminal investigation under UK law into Elbit Systems UK and its subsidiaries for alleged complicity in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• Examine the legality and compliance of the issued arms export licences tied to these drone exports in light of how they have been used.
• Undertake rigorous review of adherence to international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention, ensuring accountability for breaches and prevention of further complicity.

Such an investigation is critical to uphold the rule of law in the UK, fulfil our international legal obligations, and prevent ongoing complicity in atrocity crimes.

I await your confirmation of receipt of this letter and information on the steps your offices will take in response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]