Around 100 activists have blockaded a Glasgow factory as they call for a halt in weapons exports to Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
BAE Systems produces various components of weapons which are sold to Israel, including the F35 combat aircraft and the MK 38 Mod 2 machine gun system, and demonstrators blockaded the entrance to its Govan plant on Thursday morning.
From around 5am a group of around 100 blocked the gates to the factory as they called for a cessation of hostilities against Yemen and Gaza and the halting of weapons sales to Israel.
In addition, the group demanded that Scottish Enterprise stop using public money to fund companies which manufacture weapons such as BAE Systems, Leonardo and Raytheon.
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The national economic development agency has given close to £10m to arms firms which supply weapons to Israel between 2016 and 2020, including £1.6m to BAE Systems.
BAE's Govan factory was previously the target of direct action in December.
Aisha, a school teacher aged 37, said: “The Scottish Government funds weapons manufacturers like BAE through Scottish Enterprise.
"This is absolutely disgusting and directly contradicts any lip-service the Scottish Parliament and First Minister pays towards backing a ceasefire or supporting Palestinians."
Stephen, a hospitality worker aged 27, said: “BAE systems makes billions of pounds in profits every year through selling arms to Israel that are used to indiscriminately murder Palestinians in their thousands.
"We hold BAE's management, not ordinary workers, responsible for fuelling and profiting from the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.”
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John, an electrician aged 24, said: “We are not going to stand by while Israel continues to indiscriminately bomb innocent civilians using weapons manufactured by BAE, Thales and Leonardo.
"I'm here today because clearly we are being ignored in our calls for a ceasefire and because direct action works in forcing change.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We’re horrified by the devastating impact the situation in Israel and Gaza is having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
"We have no operations or employees in Israel or Gaza and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls. We always respect everyone’s right to peaceful protest.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson: "We are aware of a number of protestors at BAE in Govan Road, Glasgow.
"Officers are in attendance."
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