Campaigners in Glasgow have blockaded the BAE Systems shipyard in opposition to its ties to Israel. The protest at the defence firm’s site in Govan was organised by a local group alongside Workers for a Free Palestine. The campaign group has also blockaded defence factories in Bournemouth, Brighton, and Lancashire. They are urging BAE Systems to end ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence, and supplies trading.
Protesters with Palestinian flags are also calling for the UK Government to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. BAE Systems said it respects “everyone’s right to protest peacefully”. Workers for a Free Palestine said BAE Systems produces components of weapons sold to Israel, including the F35 combat aircraft and the Mk 38 Mod 2 machine gun. The activists blocked one entrance to the BAE site with a large banner stating “Stop Arming Israel”. Police Scotland officers were in attendance at the demonstration.
Protester Bint Sanna, who did not want to give her real name, told BBC Scotland News the group wanted to “put a stop to UK government support for Israel”. Another campaigner, Hex, said he traveled from Edinburgh to attend after a call to action from Palestinian trade unions. The Glasgow protest was part of coordinated action to blockade four arms factories around the UK. The biggest was at Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth where around 600 people took part.
A BAE Systems spokesperson said, “We’re horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it’s having on civilians in the region, and we hope it can be resolved as soon as possible. We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment.” Earlier this week, BAE systems announced that it was creating 300 new jobs in Glasgow for the construction of new warships. The manufacturer already employs more than 3,200 workers at its Glasgow sites at Govan and Scotstoun
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