CAMPAIGNERS have shut down a factory in Edinburgh in a protest over arms sales to Israel.
The Leonardo plant in the Scottish capital has been targeted due to its components being used on the F-35 fighter jet as well as the Apache attack helicopter.
Protesters have argued that by continuing to supply the military equipment to Israel, both the arms companies themselves and the UK Government, which grants license to sell them, are complicit in the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
Leonardo produces laser targeting systems for Lockheed Martin, which sells the jets to Israel.
Last November, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed the jets are used in Gaza, saying in a briefing: “F-35 jets strike terror targets and assist ground forces in very close proximity strikes.”
Jack, a protester taking part in Wednesday’s action, said: “Over the last 10 months, the images coming out of Gaza have exposed the indiscriminate slaughter and cruelty being unleashed by Israel on Palestinian civilians.
“No one can pretend not to know the extent of Israel’s war crimes. It is therefore utterly unconscionable that our government continues to hand over arms to Israel.
“It has always been morally repugnant, but it is now also clear that these arms sales mean the UK Government is in breach of its own obligations under international law.
“That is why we’re here today – because we will not allow weapons built on our doorstep to be used to massacre Palestinians.
“And for as long as our government refuses to act, we will be forced to.”
Last week, the UN’s high court ruled Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on this to end.
Another protester taking part in the action, Rosemary, said: “I couldn’t stand by anymore and watch Israel commit a genocide with weapons made in our own city.
“As people who live in Scotland, whose friends and neighbours work at this factory, we have a responsibility to put pressure on arms manufacturers to comply with international law.
“Every day that I see Scottish children playing happily in Edinburgh, I think of the thousands of children in Gaza who will never get to. It isn’t a far-away problem. It’s right here, in our city, under the auspices of our own government.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We were called around 5.25am on Wednesday, July 24, to a report of protest at a premises on Crewe Road North and Ferry Road in Edinburgh. Officers remain in attendance.”
Leonardo GB and the UK Government have been approached for comment.
