Drones Manufactured in Brooklyn Are Being Used to Bomb Gazans

Drones manufactured in Brooklyn are being used to bomb Palestinians in Gaza, according to newly uncovered documents presented during a criminal trial against pro-Palestine activists in June 2026. These documents reveal that Israel's largest weapons supplier, Elbit Systems, is purchasing drones produced by Easy Aerial, a company based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This discovery marks the first concrete evidence connecting Elbit Systems directly to a U.S.-based drone manufacturer, highlighting how global arms production can operate within urban environments often perceived as separate from such activities. The Brooklyn Navy Yard, a city-owned industrial complex, has become a focal point for activism due to its role in housing Easy Aerial. The company, founded by an ex-Israeli soldier, operates under the guise of a fine arts and photography business, despite producing military-grade drones. Activists from the group Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard (DBNY) discovered this discrepancy in 2024 and began organizing efforts to pressure the Navy Yard to remove Easy Aerial from its premises. Their campaign intensified following an incident in September 2024 when Palestine Action, a pro-Palestine group, targeted an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, United Kingdom. In August 2024, six activists from Palestine Action infiltrated the Elbit Systems facility in Filton using a modified prison van. Inside, they spent approximately 20 minutes damaging over 40 drones valued at around $2.6 million. The activists used sledgehammers to destroy the equipment, prompting a violent response from private security. Jordan Devlin, one of the activists, recounted being struck with a sledgehammer and subjected to a chokehold by guards. The incident drew significant media attention and legal consequences for the participants involved. During the subsequent trial in June 2026, four of the activists were charged with "criminal damage" related to the breach at the Elbit Systems factory. As part of the legal proceedings, Elbit Systems released a damage report confirming that six of the destroyed drones were models produced by Easy Aerial. The report detailed the extent of the damage, which amounted to over $500,000. Despite repeated requests for comment, neither Elbit Systems nor Easy Aerial responded to inquiries from The Nation. Before the release of these documents, there were indications that Elbit Systems might be integrating Easy Aerial drones into its operations. However, the direct link between the two companies remained unclear until the recent revelations. The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, which oversees business leases at the site, previously denied hosting any weapons manufacturers. Nevertheless, the evidence presented during the trial confirms a collaborative relationship between Elbit Systems and Easy Aerial, particularly during Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza. Nadia Yassin, an organizer with DBNY who uses a pseudonym for safety, stated that the new evidence validates suspicions about the partnership between Elbit Systems and Easy Aerial. She emphasized that while previous hints suggested a connection, the current findings offer undeniable proof of their joint involvement in drone manufacturing. Yassin noted that this confirmation strengthens the case for holding both entities accountable for their roles in the production of weapons used in the conflict. Elbit Systems, a major player in the global defense industry, has long been a target of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement due to its extensive ties to the Israeli military. The company has seen increased demand for its products as Israel continues its military actions in Gaza. The Filton factory, described as a research, development, and manufacturing hub, serves as a critical node in Elbit Systems' network, supplying advanced technology to the British Armed Forces and other NATO allies. The facility's July 2023 grand opening showcased Elbit's latest innovations in AI-driven warfare, further underscoring its strategic importance in the arms trade. As the situation unfolds, activists and watchdog groups continue to scrutinize the operations of both Elbit Systems and Easy Aerial. The exposure of their collaboration raises questions about the ethical implications of manufacturing and distributing military technology from locations that are ostensibly committed to fostering non-violent industries. With the evidence now in the public domain, calls for greater transparency and accountability from both companies are likely to intensify, potentially influencing future regulatory actions and public perception of their roles in the ongoing conflict.