Hundreds of union members blockade UK arms factory demanding Gaza ceasefire

Over 400 trade unionists early on Friday blockaded a British arms factory that supplies weapons to Israel demanding an immediate halt to Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip, which has so far killed over 10,800 Palestinians - mostly children, women and elderly.

Under the banner "Workers for a Free Palestine", demonstrators blockaded the entrance to the BAE Systems' factory in Rochester, Kent, where weapons for the Israeli military are produced, according to a statement by the organisers.

The protesters included health workers, teachers, hospitality workers, academics, artists and more, the statement said.

The blockade was organised as part of an International Day of Action for Palestine in response to calls by Palestinian trade union members to workers around the world to demonstrate against Israeli war crimes.

"I'm joining this blockade today because as a teacher and trade unionist, it's impossible to stand by and watch as our government supports Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza, including with arms from this very factory," Alexandra, a teacher and member of the Nation Education Union who was taking part in the protest, said.

"As a teacher, seeing 185 schools and other educational institutions in Gaza bombed is utterly heartbreaking," she said.

"We're here today to disrupt the Israeli war machine and take a stand against our government's complicity and we urge workers across the UK to take similar action in their workplaces and communities," she added.

The activists also called for a change in the stance of the British government - which has so far refused to back calls for a ceasefire in Gaza - and an end to arms sales to Israel.

Kent Police told The New Arab that its officers were "at the scene of a protest in Rochester" without giving any further details.

TNA has contacted BAE and the British government for comment.