PROTESTERS have blockaded the entrance to an Edinburgh weapons factory with links to Israel.
Around 100 pro-Palestine activists gathered outside the Leonardo factory on Crewe Road, in Edinburgh, on Thursday morning.
They demanded that the firm "drops the F-35 contract" with weapons firm Lockheed Martin, which they said is complicit in Israel's genocide in Gaza as well as attacks on Iran and Lebanon.
Activists could be seen stood outside the entrance to the factory waving Palestine flags and holding signs such as "your bosses kill kids for profit" and "Leonardo F-35s: Paid for in blood".
The blockade began at 5am on Thursday morning and is expected to last until around 1pm.
The protesters said they are hoping to enforce an arms embargo "from below" as they condemned the UK's wider complicity in Israel's actions in the Middle East, such as by allowing US military aircraft to land at UK air bases before launching attacks on Iran.
Leonardo makes laser targeting systems for the F-35 combat aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin, which are used by Israel in its bombardment of Gaza.
The facility has been targeted multiple times by activists over the company’s links to Israel and the continued killing of Palestinians in Gaza despite a ceasefire put in place in October.
Protesters said Leonardo holds 26 UK export licences to Israel, with the Edinburgh Leonardo factory currently being used to produce components for F-35 jets and attack helicopters which are used by Israel.
Jenna, a local hospitality worker who took part in the blockade, said: "For over two and a half years, we, Scottish residents and workers, have been protesting this Leonardo factory's complicity in the onslaught of Gaza.
"We can’t allow arms being used in a massacre Palestinians to be supplied in our name, funded by our taxes and built in our backyard. And as local residents we don’t want murder being manufactured on our doorstep. It makes us feel complicit."
Zahra, a 42 year old dentist said: "Leonardo bosses are reaping record profits from a genocidal war in which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Workers have the power to disrupt and stop components for F-35s from being made.
“The UK Government are trying to intimidate us by calling protesters “extremist” and limiting rights to protest. But we won’t be deterred, and neither will people across the UK taking similar direct action too in a defiant response to these threats.
“We will continue to disrupt production at this site until they stop arming Israel’s murderous war machine."
Simon, a mechanic said: "Components for the F-35 fighter jet used by Israel in the ongoing brutal assaults are made in this factory in Edinburgh. When we come together as a community, as people, we can do our bit to stop the zionist war machine.
"We can't let the government's increasing criminalisation of protest, free speech and those demanding justice stop us nor slow us down. And when there is a direct link between our city and the murdering of children we will not waiver."
Last year, a UN inquiry determined that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
Israel's brutal onslaught of Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
A Leonardo spokesperson said: "Earlier today, a group of protestors gathered at the entrance to our Crewe Toll site in Edinburgh. While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the local community remain our absolute priority. Police are in attendance and the situation is being managed safely.
"Leonardo UK is subject to UK Government export controls and all of our exports are subject to rigorous licensing processes. Leonardo UK does not supply equipment directly to Israel."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 5.15am on Thursday, July 16, 2026, we were called to a report of a protest outside a business premises in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh.
"Officers are in attendance."
