Pro-Palestinian protesters have blocked the entrance to a defence factory in Edinburgh, arguing they are on “the right side of history”. Members of the group Stop Arming Israel gathered outside the Leonardo facility on Crewe Road North on Thursday morning, accusing the company of “complicity in genocide and the Zionist war machine”.
The masked demonstrators held banners reading “Leonardo F35s: Paid for in blood” and demanded that Leonardo UK ends its involvement with F-35 fighter jets, which are manufactured by Lockheed Martin. One protester, John, 67, from Glasgow, who did not wish to 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.”
Another protester, Tyler, an Edinburgh resident in his 20s who also did not 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.”
A Leonardo spokesperson said the company respects the right to peaceful protest but prioritises employee safety. They added: “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.” Police Scotland confirmed officers were in attendance after being called around 5.15am.
