Protesters blockaded a BAE Systems production facility in Wales on Wednesday over its ties to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The protest was connected to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants, which has claimed the lives of around 22,000 people, mostly civilians.
According to local media outlets, a group of over 60 activists from the Cymru Peace Coalition stormed the facility and obstructed its entrance.
They held banners saying “Stop Arming Genocide” and “UK Weapons Kill.”
A coalition spokesperson claimed that the UK is an active collaborator in the alleged war crimes being committed against Palestinians, as it continues to allow billions of pounds in arms trade with the IDF.
“We are horrified that the UK is allowing arms manufacturers to operate out of this country despite weeks of demonstrations from the people of this country demanding an end to the UK support of Israel,” he said.
BAE’s Alleged Involvement
One of the world’s largest military contractors, BAE Systems has made several arms deals with Israel, even before the war broke out.
The company manufactures parts of the F-35 fighter aircraft being used by the IDF in carrying out air strikes.
It also supplies 155-millimeter artillery shells and white phosphorus rounds to the Middle Eastern nation, the group claims.
This supply chain has helped the Israeli military carry out relentless attacks in Gaza where thousands of Palestinians are residing.
“It is our duty to shut them down. We do not want these death factories in our neighborhoods, our cities, or our country. Our government might be complicit in genocide, but we are not,” another protester stated.
Before blockading the BAE Systems facility, the group traveled to an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol to carry out the same campaign.