Campaigners blockade defence firm
Activists are staging a blockade at a defence company’s shipyard in Glasgow in solidarity with Palestinians and are calling for an immediate ceasefire.
More than 100 demonstrators blocked entrances to the BAE Systems site in Govan, Glasgow, from around 5am on Thursday.
They are taking action in response to a call from Palestinian trade unionists for workers around the world to disrupt the flow of arms to Israel.
They are calling for a halt to arms exports to Israel, an end to air strikes on Yemen, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The demonstrators in Glasgow claim BAE Systems produces components for the F-35 combat aircraft used by Israel. BAE Systems said it complies fully with all applicable defence export controls.
At one of the gates to the site, the activists, who are Glasgow residents, stood holding a banner that said “Stop Arming Israel” and chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
Stephen, a hospitality worker aged 27 who did not wish to give his surname, said: “We hold BAE’S management, not ordinary workers, responsible for fuelling and profiting from the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.”
John, an electrician aged 24 who also did not wish to give his surname, said: "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 said: “We are aware of a number of protesters at BAE in Govan Road, Glasgow. Officers are in attendance."
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister welcomed the King of Jordan to Downing Street yesterday, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Rishi Sunak greeted Jordan's King Abdullah II on the steps of No 10, where a red carpet had been rolled out.
The two men shook hands before heading inside where they posed for photographs in No 10's White Room. Abdullah II spent about half an hour with Mr Sunak before leaving at 5pm.
The meeting comes amid international concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
While in Washington earlier this week, Jordan's king called for a lasting ceasefire.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, the Hashemite king said: “We cannot afford an Israeli attack on Rafah. It is certain to produce another humanitarian catastrophe.
“We cannot stand by and let this continue. We need a lasting ceasefire now, this war must end.”
We always respect everyone’s right to peaceful protest BAE Systems spokesperson