A group called Stop Arming Israel protested outside Leonardo in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have argued they are on “the right side of history” as they blockaded an aerospace defence company’s factory in Edinburgh.
Members of a group called Stop Arming Israel stood outside the Leonardo facility on Crewe Road North on Thursday morning, accusing the company of “complicity in genocide and the Zionist war machine”.
Masked protesters gathered outside the factory entrance, holding up banners which read: “Leonardo F35s: Paid for in blood.”
They are demanding Leonardo UK drops its involvement with F-35 fighter jets, which are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
John, 67, from Glasgow, who did not wish to give his surname, told the Press Association: “We are here out of conviction. We feel that we’re on the right side of the law, the right side of history, actually.”
He said it is a moral issue as well as a political one for many of the protesters.
Leonardo has said it is subject to the UK Government’s export controls and it does not supply equipment directly to Israel.
However, John challenged that statement.
“It doesn’t work like that,” he said. “[Leonardo] are supplying components into the world market for a piece of military equipment that they know is being used to carry out the genocide, to conduct the attacks on the people in Gaza.
“In actual fact, we are here to uphold international law. We’re here to uphold the principles of what the International Court of Justice has laid down.”
Tyler, an Edinburgh resident in his 20s who did not wish to give his real name, said: “We’re here as Scottish residents and workers blocking the entrance to Leonardo’s factory, which is a factory that produces weapons that are part of the pipeline that makes its way from our backyard in Edinburgh to the Zionist war machine, which involves the genocide in Gaza and the slaughter of children in Iran and Lebanon.
“We’re here because we know this happens in our backyard, and we refuse to be complicit in our Government and our city’s production of arms.”
A Leonardo spokesperson said: “Earlier today, a group of protesters 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, 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.”
