UK activists shut down Israeli weapon factory in Leicester

Leicester (QNN)- Activists in the English city of Leicester shut down a factory operated by UAV Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The factory manufactures combat drones for the Israeli military.

Members of the Palestine Action group first scaled the roof of the factory in Leicester on Wednesday.

Around a dozen other activists protested outside the site, as police officers sealed off entrances into the facility.

The activists said that the site manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles which have been used to deadly effect by Israeli forces in Gaza.

“These drones have been directly linked to the butchering of children in Gaza, and activists occupying the site are determined that no more of them end up in Israel’s hands,” Palestine Action said in a statement published on its website on Thursday.

Protesters chanted slogans criticizing Israeli violence against Palestinians, and trucks arriving at the factory were directed away by police officers.

The group members accused the local police of using inhumane tactics by blocking other groups and public members who try to bring food and water to the protesters who were still on the roof of a factory unit.

The group said: “On Thursday, police arrested two supporters attempting to provide water and supplies to activists, in a failed attempt to intimidate and break the resolve of activists.

“Two activists have stepped down from the occupation in order that the remaining two may better ration supplies and continue the occupation for as long as is humanly possible. The occupation of the site already constitutes the longest continuous occupation undertaken by Palestine Action.”

At least 284 Palestinians have been killed – 253 in Gaza and 31 in the West Bank – including 39 women and over 66 children, and more than 1,900 others injured in Israeli attacks since May 10, according to Palestinian health authorities. Health centers, media offices, and residential neighborhoods were among the sites targeted.

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