Protestors target BAE Systems in Glasgow over arms sent to Israel

Protestors have blocked the entrance to BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow as part of a UK-wide action targeting the company’s sites across the UK.

Campaigners against military arms being sent to Israel are protesting outside factories in Glasgow, South Wales and Lancashire.

Organisers said more than 1,000 workers and trade unionists took part at BAE Systems sites, as well as the London offices of the Business and Trade department.

In Glasgow, banners reading ‘Stop Arming Genocide’ and ‘This Factory Arms Genocide’ were displayed by campaigners blocking the gate to the factory. Police were also present.

Demonstrators chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “up, up with liberation, down, down with occupation”.

Speaking in Glasgow demonstrator Jamie – who did not wish to give a surname, said: “Our fundamental aim is for the UK Government to introduce an arms embargo, it’s the morally right thing to do.

“It’s vital that action is taken, it’s been almost seven months of death and destruction in Palestine and the idea that that is being committed by weapons that are being produced in our neighbourhoods is horrifying.

“Our long term goal is an arms embargo from the government but our short term aim here today is to just disrupt business as usual for BAE, to disrupt the manufacture, to cost them time, cost them money and slow down the trade of weapons to Israel.”

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “The ongoing violence in the Middle East is having a devastating impact on civilians in the region and we hope the parties involved find a way to end the violence as soon as possible.

“We respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully. We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment.”

The protests initially caused traffic delays in Glasgow but all roads in the area were later reported to be clear.