ACTIVISTS from Palestine Action Scotland claim to have sabotaged the internet cables at the factory of a prominent arms firm in Edinburgh.
The multinational company Leonardo – whose factory is on the city’s Ferry Road – is known to have produced targeting systems for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
BREAKING: Palestine Action cut Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory’s internet cables, disrupting the producers of targeting systems for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets. pic.twitter.com/u45n1KmSk8
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) May 28, 2024
The group has also claimed to have sprayed red paint over the company’s fighter jet model displays in the early hours of Tuesday, with a video (above) later circulating of the group opening a box of cables, cutting wires and painting "Stop Arming Israel" on the lid.
It comes as the Foreign Secretary has called for a swift investigation into Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza city of Rafah at the weekend.
David Cameron was speaking after the deadly strikes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said were a “tragic mishap” and the country’s military said it was investigating.
Lord Cameron said on X, formerly Twitter: “Deeply distressing scenes following the airstrikes in Rafah this weekend.
“The IDF’s investigation must be swift, comprehensive & transparent.
“We urgently need a deal to get hostages out & aid in, with a pause in fighting to allow work towards a long-term sustainable ceasefire.”
A Downing Street spokesman referred to Lord Cameron’s statement and the Prime Minister’s previous stance on the conflict.
“As we’ve said previously, the UK would not support a major military operation in Rafah unless we see a plan to protect the hundreds of thousands of civilians who remain there,” the spokesman said, adding that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made this point to Mr Netanyahu.
“Our focus is on finding the fastest way to end this conflict, which is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a pause in the fighting.
“And so our focus is working with international partners to get that pause in the fighting and then turn that pause into a long-term sustainable ceasefire.”
Some of Israel’s closest allies, including the United States, have criticised the country over its war with Hamas.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said he will apply for arrest warrants for Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.
Amnesty International said the Foreign Secretary should get behind the ICC and International Court of Justice’s efforts to examine Israeli actions in Gaza.
“You’d have to be totally detached from reality to expect that the IDF will adequately investigate Sunday’s attack,” Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, said.
He said Lord Cameron should “drop the pretence” that Israeli authorities can undertake an impartial investigation of whether they have breached international law.
He added: “There is an alarming sense that the UK government is – by being disingenuous at best – supporting a wall of impunity protecting Israeli forces when they carry out human rights violations.”
Leonardo and Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
