Police and pro-Palestinian protesters clash at Thales military electronics factory in Glasgow

Police and pro-Palestinian protesters have clashed after a demonstration blocked the entrance to a military electronics factory in Glasgow.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside French company Thales’ site on Linthouse Road in Govan from 5am on Wednesday.

The demonstrators are demanding an immediate ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza.

Police said a number of arrests had been made.

Pro-Palestinian protest outside factory in Glasgow Siobhan Chalmers

It comes at a time of mounting concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

The protest marks the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, Arabic for “catastrophe”, when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of what is now Israel before and during the war surrounding its creation in 1948.

More than twice that number have been displaced within Gaza since the start of the latest war, which was triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack into Israel.

UN agencies say 550,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, have been newly displaced in just the last week, as Israeli forces have pushed into the southern city of Rafah and re-invaded parts of northern Gaza.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.05am on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 police were called to a report of a demonstration within the grounds of a business premises on Linthouse Road, Govan, Glasgow.

“Officers are in attendance and a number of arrests have been made.”

Thales employs over 750 people across two main sites in Glasgow and Rosyth and said it invested over £140m in 2023 to the Scottish economy.

A company spokesperson said: “Thales is extremely proud of its role in helping to protect the UK and keep our armed forces safe.

“Regarding exports, Thales adheres to the UK Government’s industry control system for overseas sales, one of the most rigorous and transparent of its kind in the world.

‘While those outside our site in Glasgow have the right to protest peacefully, we will work with authorities to prosecute anyone who threatens our employees, our property or our important work for the UK armed forces.”