Editing Elbit Systems (section)

==History==
Elbit Systems was founded in 1966 by [[Elron Electronic Industries]] and the Israel's [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Ministry of Defense]], under the name 'Elbit Computers Ltd.',<ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel Success Story |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/jweekly/1980/07/04/page/5 |last=Alpert |first=Carl |date=July 4, 1980 |work=he Jewish News of Northern California}}</ref> to develop computers and electronics for the [[Israeli military]], its first product was a [[Minicomputer]] named 'Elbit 100'.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel Selling Computer For $5,000 |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/indianajpost/1967/05/19/01/page/10/?e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1 |date=May 19, 1967 |work=The Indiana Jewish Post and Opinion}}</ref><ref>''[[iarchive:bitsavers computersA 9501077/page/n57/mode/2up|Computers and Automation]]''. USA. November 1, 1968. p. 58. Retrieved 2025-02-03. <q>ELBIT COMPUTERS LTD. HAS MOVED UP TO THE NUMBER TWO SPOT AMONG SMALL COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS ON THE CONTINENT, with the receipt of their 45th order for an Elbit 100 computer (first released early in 1968).</q></ref><ref>''[[iarchive:bitsavers computersArCensus196274 16451676|Computers and Automation : Computer Census 1962-74]]''. January 15, 1968. p. 115. Retrieved 2025-02-03.</ref> The Minicomputer was successfully sold for civilian use,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Electronics Firm Makes 1st U.S. Sale |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/indianajpost/1967/10/20/01/page/3 |date=October 20, 1967 |work=The Indiana Jewish Post and Opinion}}</ref> and in July 1970 the American company [[Control Data Corporation]] entered into an agreement to acquire Israel government's interest in 'Elbit Computers' for US$1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The American Control Data Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire controlling stock interest in Elbit Computers Ltd of Haifa. |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/austjewishtimes/1970/07/16/01/article/80 |date=July 16, 1970 |work=The Australian Jewish Times}} <br>{{Cite news |title=CONTROL DATA BUYS ELBIT |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/indianajpost/1970/08/28/01/page/12 |date=August 28, 1970 |work=The Indiana Jewish Post and Opinion}}
</ref> Control Data Corporation marketed and distributed Elbit Computers' around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |title=ISRAELI DATA SYSTEMS FOR AUSTRALIAN MARKETS |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/austjewishtimes/1971/09/23/01/page/4 |date=September 23, 1971 |work=The Australian Jewish Times}}</ref>

In 1978 Elbit had an [[initial public offering]] on the [[Tel Aviv Stock Exchange]] and continued to develop Minicomputers, including a model called ANAT, that was developed and sold in corporation with German company [[Nixdorf Computer]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=NIXDORF'S ISRAELI ENGINE |journal=[[Datamation]] |url=http://www.bitsavers.org/magazines/Datamation/198010.pdf |issue=Oct 1980 |pages=Page 75–76}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nixdorf Computer AG, a leading German manufacturer of computers, has brought out a new product line based on Israeli produced computers |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/austjewishtimes/1981/05/14/01/page/15 |date=May 14, 1983 |work=The Australian Jewish Times⁩}}</ref> During the early 1980s the company started to refocus on defense electronics and developed systems and sub-components, among others, for the [[IAI Lavi|Lavi fighter jet]] and for the [[Merkava]] tank.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Top Israeli Defense Executive Tells Of His Company's Success |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/jweekly/1983/10/28/page/30 |last=Isaak Gluck |first=Peggy |date=October 28, 1983}}</ref> The company also changed it name at the time from 'Elbit Computers Ltd.' to simply 'Elbit Ltd.' and  Control Data Corporation sold its stake in the company.

In 1996, Elbit was spun off into three independent companies: [[Elbit Medical Imaging]], Elbit Systems, and Elbit.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Etgar: Split Elbit Value 44% Above Current Market Value |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-358295#! |last=Friedman |first=Shlomo |date=November 4, 1996 |work=[[Globes (newspaper)|Globes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gill, Senior Elbit Officials to Receive Options in Each Division in Spin-Off Plan|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-359990#! |last=Eisenberg |first=Amir |date=October 16, 1996 |work=[[Globes (newspaper)|Globes]]}}</ref>  From 1999 to 2000, [[Elscint]] (another affiliate of Elron) and Elbit Medical Imaging sold their imaging activities to General Electric Medical Systems and Picker. Elbit Systems was created as the defense electronics arm of the company. Elbit, which focused on communications activities, led the consortium that founded [[Partner Communications Company]] in 1999.

In 2000, Elbit Systems merged with El-Op (then controlled by current Elbit chairman, [[Michael Federmann]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Elbit Systems Ltd. and Elop Electro-Optics Industries Ltd.Announce the Signing of a Merger Agreement |url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/1289/elbit,-elop-to-merge-(dec.-20).html |publisher=Defense Aerospace |type=Press release}}</ref> creating the largest non-governmental defense electronics company in Israel. Elron sold its shares in Elbit Systems for approximately $197&nbsp;million in 2004.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Elron Announces Completion of the Sale of all its holdings in Elbit Systems to Federmann Enterprises Ltd. for approximately $197 million|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040728005726/en/Elron-Announces-Completion-Sale-holdings-Elbit-Systems|website=Business Wire|access-date=July 28, 2004|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108064250/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040728005726/en/Elron-Announces-Completion-Sale-holdings-Elbit-Systems|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the merger with El-Op, Federmann become the largest shareholder of the combined group.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} Following its merger, Elbit acquired [[Elisra]], assets of [[Israel Military Industries]]' Aircraft Systems Division, and Mikal Ltd.<ref group="lower-alpha">The company initially purchased 19% of the firm, and later agreed to acquire Mikal's 100% holdings in [[Soltam Systems]], Saymar, and the 87.85% portion of ITL held by Mikal; in exchange, Mikal's owners received the 19% of Mikal that Elbit had purchased.</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elbit-systems-signs-agreement-to-acquire-mikals-holdings-in-soltam-saymar-and-itl-102045428.html|title=Elbit Systems Signs Agreement to Acquire Mikal's Holdings in Soltam, Saymar and ITL|author=Elbit Systems}}</ref> Elbit subsequently announced a cash tender offer for the 12.15% remainder of ITL Optronics Ltd held by the public.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ir.elbitsystems.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61849&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1517825&highlight=|title=Elbit – Investor Relations -Press Releases|access-date=February 22, 2011|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118154308/http://ir.elbitsystems.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61849&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1517825&highlight=|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2002, Elbit was merged into Elron.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Richard |first1=Gilden |date=2002-05-16 |title=Elron Electronics Ltd. Form 6K |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/vprr/0203/02037745.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=3 February 2025 |website= |publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission |pages=5–9 |format=PDF}}</ref>

In 2006, Elbit acquired 20% of [[Chip PC Technologies]], a developer and manufacturer of client solutions for server-based computing.<ref>[http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Elbit_Systems_(ESLT)/Chip Elbit Systems acquired an approximately 20% interest (18.5% plus a loan convertible into additional shares) in Chip PC Ltd.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406113407/http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Elbit_Systems_(ESLT)/Chip |date=April 6, 2012 }} ESLT {{convert|20|°F|°C|abbr=on}} filed May 28, 2008</ref> In 2016, Elbit launched [[Everysight]], a developer and manufacturer of an [[augmented reality]] [[smartglasses]] for cyclists, founded in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elbit System's augmented reality smartglasses spin off, Everysight, announces an exclusive test pilot program for cyclists. |url=http://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-augmented-reality-smartglasses-spin-off-everysight-announces-exclusive-test-pilot-program-cyclists/ |access-date=December 7, 2016 |website=Elbit Systems}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coffey |first=Valerie C |date=November 20, 2015 |title=Elbit Systems Launches Wearable-Display Company, Everysight |url=https://www.optica-opn.org/home/industry/2015/november/elbit_systems_launches_wearable_display_company_e/ |website=Optics & Photonics News}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[The Intercept]]'' reported that, starting in 2008, the US [[National Security Agency]] and UK [[GCHQ]]  had been [[Wiretapping|tapping into]] live feeds from Elbit drones (among other Israeli air force equipment) as they were flown on missions by the Israeli military and air force against targets in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon.<ref name="intercept 2016" />

In November 2018, Elbit completed its acquisition of [[IMI Systems]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2018 |title=Elbit Systems Completes the Acquisition of IMI Systems |url=https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-completes-the-acquisition-of-imi-systems/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=elbitsystems.com}}</ref>

In 2022, Elbit reported having 18,407 total employees, with most of them based in Israel. It reported 3,675 US employees.<ref name=":1" />

=== Ethical concerns and divestment ===
On September 3, 2009, the [[Norwegian Pension Fund|Government Pension Fund of Norway]]'s ethical council decided to sell the fund's stocks in Elbit due to the company's supply of surveillance systems for the [[Israeli West Bank barrier]].<ref name="globes">{{cite news |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Norwegian Gov't Pension Fund exits Elbit Systems |publisher=Globes [online], Israel business news |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=1000495337&fid=1725 |url-status=live |access-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426055225/https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-1000495337 |archive-date=April 26, 2023}}</ref> At a press conference to announce the decision, [[Minister of Finance (Norway)|Minister of Finance]] [[Kristin Halvorsen]] said "We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law".<ref name="haaretz 2009-09-03">{{cite news |last=Hass |first=Amira |author2=Barak Ravid |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Israel summons Norway envoy to protest divestment from arms firm |publisher=[[Haaretz]] |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1112218.html |url-status=dead |access-date=March 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904035619/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1112218.html |archive-date=September 4, 2009}}</ref> The Norwegian Ambassador to Israel, [[Hans Jacob Biørn Lian]], was called to a meeting at the [[Israeli Foreign Ministry]] where the decision was protested.<ref name="haaretz 2009-09-03" />

In January 2010, [[Danske Bank]] added Elbit to the list of companies that fail its Socially Responsible Investment policy. A bank spokesman noted that it was acting in the interests of its customers by not "placing their money in companies that violate international standards".<ref name="danske">{{cite news |date=January 25, 2010 |title=Israeli companies excluded from bank's investments |publisher=[[Copenhagen Post]] |url=http://www.cphpost.dk/component/content/48048.html?task=view |url-status=dead |access-date=March 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131114212/http://www.cphpost.dk/component/content/48048.html?task=view |archive-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Maan">{{cite news |date=January 27, 2010 |title=Danish pension funds divest from Israeli companies |publisher=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=257185 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922132218/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=257185 |archive-date=September 22, 2014}}</ref> The Danish financial watchdog ''DanWatch'' placed Elbit on its ethical [[blacklist]] in 2011.<ref name="danwatch">{{cite web |date=January 1, 2010 |title=DanWatch's sortliste |url=http://www.danwatch.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234%3Adanwatchs-sortliste&catid=20%3Astationaere-sider& |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007153805/http://www.danwatch.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234%3Adanwatchs-sortliste&catid=20%3Astationaere-sider& |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2010 |publisher=Danwatch |language=da}}</ref> In 2014, one of Denmark's largest [[pension fund]] administrators PKA Ltd announced it will no longer consider investing in Elbit, stating "The [[International Court of Justice|ICJ]] stated that the barrier only serves military purposes and violates Palestinian human rights. Therefore we have looked at whether companies produce custom-designed products to the wall and thus has a particular involvement in repressive activities."<ref name="Maan" />

In March 2010, a Swedish [[pension fund]], not wanting to be associated with companies violating international treaties, boycotted Elbit Systems for its involvement in the construction of Israel's West Bank barrier wall.<ref name="Ynetnews">{{cite news |last=Bettini |first=Daniel |date=August 27, 2010 |title=Europe's economic boycott of Israel expanding |publisher=Ynetnews |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3943666,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829181759/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3943666,00.html |archive-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>

In December 2018, [[HSBC]] divested from Elbit<ref name="FIFAD">{{cite news |title=France investment firm AXA IM divests from Israel arms manufacturer |publisher=Middle East Monitor |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190418-france-insurance-firm-axa-divests-from-israel-arms-manufacturer/}}</ref> following Elbit's acquisition of [[IMI Systems]]. HSBC cited IMI's manufacturing of [[cluster munition|cluster bombs]], which violated the bank's ethics policy of not investing in companies linked to the manufacturing or marketing of cluster munition.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Tovah Lazaroff |title=HSBC tells 'Post': 'We divested from Elbit over cluster bombs, not BDS' |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/bds-threat/hsbc-tells-post-we-divested-from-elbit-over-clusters-bombs-not-bds-576175 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103214900/https://www.jpost.com/bds-threat/hsbc-tells-post-we-divested-from-elbit-over-clusters-bombs-not-bds-576175 |archive-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Axa]] partially disinvested from Elbit Systems following pressure from the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement.<ref name="FIFAD" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AXA: Finances War Crimes :The Global insurer's involvement in the illegal Israeli Occupation |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.sumofus.org/images/SUMOFUS_REPORT_-_AXA_FINANCING_WAR_CRIMES.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017213039/https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.sumofus.org/images/SUMOFUS_REPORT_-_AXA_FINANCING_WAR_CRIMES.pdf |archive-date=2019-10-17 |access-date=2019-07-09 |website=SumOfUs |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2019 |title=France investment firm AXA IM divests from Israel arms manufacturer |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190418-france-insurance-firm-axa-divests-from-israel-arms-manufacturer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410032702/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190418-france-insurance-firm-axa-divests-from-israel-arms-manufacturer/ |archive-date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2019-07-09 |website=Middle East Monitor |language=en-GB}}</ref> The move followed several years of campaigning by NGOs, including an April 2018 petition launched by [[SumOfUs]] that received 140,000 signatures. Axa "quietly reduce[d]" its investments in Elbit and Israeli banks.<ref name="FIFAD" /> Axa remains indirectly invested in Elbit and Israeli banks through a [[non-controlling interest]] in its former subsidiary [[Alliance Bernstein]].<ref name="FIFAD" /><ref name=":0" />

Reporting in ''[[The Guardian]]'' showed attempted coordination between Elbit and the [[Embassy of Israel, London|Embassy of Israel]] with the [[Home Office]], [[Attorney General for England and Wales]] and [[Crown Prosecution Service]] regarding the prosecution of [[Palestine Action]] activists, dating back to April 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |date=2024-09-30 |title=Activists say they have proof ministers tried to influence police over Israeli arms firm protests |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/activists-say-they-have-proof-ministers-tried-to-influence-police-over-israeli-arms-firm-protests |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2024, CPS used powers under the [[Terrorism Act 2000|Terrorism Act]] to detain activists without charges.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |date=2024-08-13 |title=Seven appear in court over protest at Israeli-based firm’s UK site |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/13/seven-charged-over-protest-at-israeli-based-firms-uk-site |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>