Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems is an Israeli defence electronics company.[1]
Applegate allegations
Lobbying firm The Westminster Connection was named as part of a campaign to secure a £500 million contract for Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems by retired Lieutenant General Richard Applegate, who was targeted in a sting operation by Sunday Times journalists posing as representatives of a Korean drone manufacturer.[2] The Sunday Times reported:
- He confided that he used Westminster Connection, a discreet lobbying firm with Israeli links, as a "firebreak" to ensure "that my fingerprints weren't over any of it". It could gain access to anyone "from the Prime Minister down". He said the firm, based in Victoria and co-owned by Scott Hamilton, a former Conservative staffer, had used its links with Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) to persuade MPs in the Commons to assist him in his campaign.[2]
The Sunday Times named Douglas Carswell and Defence Select Committee chairman James Arbuthnot as MPs who raised questions related to the campaign.[2]
PR firms retained by Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems, the Zionist entity's primary arms supplier, has engaged various public relations and lobbying firms to manage its reputation, particularly in the face of widespread protests targeting its role in military operations against Palestinians. These firms handle media relations, crisis communications, and government lobbying to shield the company from scrutiny over its contributions to the settler colony's military machine.
In the United Kingdom, CMS Strategic has long served as Elbit Systems' primary PR firm.[3] The London-based consultancy, led by managing director Georgia Rose Pickering, provides media relations and reputation management services amid repeated direct actions by Palestine Action against Elbit Systems facilities.[4] Reports allege that CMS Strategic influenced media narratives, including a story in The Times linking Palestine Action to Iranian funding ahead of the group's proscription in July 2025.[3] CMS Strategic and associated parties have denied these claims.[5]
In the UK, APCO Worldwide has provided consultant lobbying and strategic communications services for Elbit Systems' interests.[6] The global firm faced protests at its London headquarters over its representation of the Zionist colony's largest weapons producer during heightened scrutiny of arms supplies used in Gaza.[6] APCO Worldwide has also been linked to efforts defending Elbit Systems amid allegations of involvement in military actions.[7]
Other reported engagements include lobbying support through networks connected to pro-Zionist groups. For instance, The Westminster Connection, a political consultancy, assisted in campaigns securing contracts for Elbit Systems in the UK.[8] Such arrangements highlight efforts to maintain access to decision-makers amid growing opposition to the Zionist regime's arms trade.
These PR relationships have drawn criticism for enabling deflection from Elbit Systems' documented role in supplying equipment used in operations across occupied Palestine.[4] Protests targeting firms like CMS Strategic and APCO Worldwide underscore broader campaigns against complicity in the Zionist colony's military activities.
Subsidiaries
United States
- Elbit Systems U.S. Corp. (ESC) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Elbit Systems of America, LLC (Elbit Systems of America) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems U.S. Corp.
- EFW Inc. (EFW) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems of America
- Kollsman, Inc. (Kollsman) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems of America
- International Enterprises, Inc. (IEI) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems of America
- Innovative Concepts, Inc. (“ICI”) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems of America
- Talla-Com, Tallahassee Communications Industries, Inc. (Talla-Com) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems of America
- Vision Systems International - - 50 per cent owned by Elbit Systems of America[9]
Israel
- Elbit Systems Electro-Optics - Elop Ltd. - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Elbit Systems Land and C4I Ltd. - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Elisra - 70 per cent owned by Elbit Systems
- Tadiran Electronic Systems Ltd. (Tadiran Systems) - wholly owned by Elisra
- Tadiran Spectralink Ltd. (Tadiran Spectralink) - wholly owned by Elisra
- Elbit Systems – Cyclone Ltd. - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Snunit Aviation Services Ltd
- Elbit Security Systems Ltd. - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Elbit Systems - Kinetics Ltd. (Kinetics) - wholly owned by Elbit Systems
- Semi-Conductor Devices (SCD) - 50 per cent owned by Elbit Systems
- Opgal – Optronics Industries Ltd. - owned 50.1 per cent by Elbit Systems[9]
Europe
- Elbit Systems UK Limited - wholly owned by Elbit Systems.
- UAV Tactical Systems Ltd. (U-TacS) - 51 per cent owned by Elbit Systems UK Limited[9]
Resources
Powerbase resources
External resources
- Who's Lobbying Elbit Systems
- Electronic Intifada Elbit
Notes
- ↑ Introduction, Elbit Systems, accessed 10 March 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Secret campaign 'secured £500m', Insight, Sunday Times, 14 October 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Middle East Eye, PR firm 'planted story' about Iran funding Palestine Action in media, report says Middle East Eye, 3 November 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Novara Media, Palestine Action Iran Media Story 'Planted' by Israel-Linked PR Firm Novara Media, 5 November 2025.
- ↑ Middle East Eye, PR boss embroiled in Palestine Action 'placed story' row is Labour councillor Middle East Eye, 6 November 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Alestiklal, U.S. Lobbying Firm Partners With Israeli Arms Manufacturer: What's Behind the Alliance? Alestiklal, 3 September 2024.
- ↑ Declassified UK, Labour think tank paid PR firm to investigate Declassified journalist Declassified UK, accessed February 2026.
- ↑ Powerbase, The Westminster Connection Powerbase, accessed February 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Major Subsidiaries, Elbit Systems, accessed 15 October 2012.