Three arrests made at pro-Palestine protest at UK-based, Israeli-linked firm

Palestine Action activists protested at a factory in Leicester, UK belonging to a company owned, in part, by Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems on Tuesday.

Leicestershire Police told The New Arab a report came in at 4:20am claiming demonstrators had chained themselves to the gates of a building in the Meridian Business Park.

The force said three men had been "arrested for aggravated trespass and remain in custody" as of 12:14pm on Tuesday. Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service both attended the location.

No one had been charged as of 12:24pm on Tuesday.

Leicestershire Police said more demonstrators attended the site after the arrests, adding there was then a "brief peaceful protest".

The demonstrators then departed.

The police did not name any activist or other group in its statement.

Palestine Action told The New Arab it would continue to protest weapons manufacturers linked to Israel.

Leicestershire Police maintained that its policy is not to name specific businesses.

Nevertheless, UAV Tactical Systems Limited, an Elbit Systems subsidiary, has its registered office in the Meridian Business Park, according to the UK government's Companies House business registrar.

The site has been described as making "drones" by activists, who claim the Israeli military has used these against Palestinians in Gaza.

UAV Tactical Systems also partly belongs to the French Thales Group, which operates in sectors including defence and aerospace.

A previous protest occurred in May at this same Leicester site.

Earlier this month, it was claimed Elbit Systems' London headquarters were disrupted.

The New Arab has contacted Elbit Systems, Thales Group and UAV Tactical Systems for comment.