Pro-Palestinian protesters have blockaded a defence factory in Edinburgh, insisting they are on "the right side of history" as they called on the company to end its involvement with F-35 fighter jets.
Members of the Stop Arming Israel group gathered outside the Leonardo facility on Crewe Road North on Thursday morning, displaying banners reading "Leonardo F35s: Paid for in blood." They accused the company of "complicity in genocide and the Zionist war machine" and demanded it drops its involvement with the jets, which are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
One protester, John, 67, from Glasgow, who did not give his surname, said: "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 described the issue as both moral and political. Another demonstrator, Tyler, an Edinburgh resident in his 20s who declined to give his real name, said they were blocking the entrance because the factory produces weapons that form "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."
Leonardo said it respects the right to peaceful protest but stressed the safety of employees and the community was a priority. A spokesperson noted that police were in attendance and the situation was being managed safely. The company added that Leonardo UK is subject to UK Government export controls and does not supply equipment directly to Israel.
Responding to Leonardo's statement, John argued: "It doesn't work like that. They 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." He added that the protesters were there "to uphold international law" and the principles of the International Court of Justice.
Police Scotland said officers were called to the Crewe Road North area at around 5.15am on Thursday and were in attendance.
