Hundreds of pro-Palestine workers blockade UK defence factory

Four UK factories were blockaded by more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian workers and trade unionists amid the war in Gaza on Thursday.

Organisers said the sites produced parts for the F-35 fighter jet, a warplane used by the Israeli and other militaries. But The New Arab contacted one of the companies concerned, which denied its facility produces components for the variant of the aircraft used by Israel's army.

Teachers, health and hospitality workers, and academics took part in the demonstrations, organised by the group Workers for a Free Palestine (WfFP).

"We're out here today because we want to see an end to the shameful and genocidal bombardment of Gaza," protester Amelia told The New Arab outside Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne, a town in southwest England.

"We want to reveal the complicity of Britain. It's… because of the political will and military support and the companies that are profiting from the genocide that Israel can act… the way it is.

"It's American support, it's British support, it's support from across Europe that's allowing this to happen. And we're here to say: 'Not in our name'."

Eaton Mission Systems is owned by the global power management company Eaton, which operates in markets including aerospace, healthcare, and mining.

A spokesperson for the firm told The New Arab that the Wimborne site makes "in-flight refuelling probes for aircraft to support the probe-and-drogue method of refuelling that can be found on the F35-B (VTOL) and F35-C (Aircraft Carrier) versions".

He added that the Israeli army "flies the F35-A which does not use the components manufactured at our Wimborne facility as it uses a different refuelling method".

The New Arab also found no evidence the site makes parts for the F-35 variant used by Israel's military.

Blockades

More than 600 people, organisers said, stood blocking entrances to Eaton Mission Systems on Thursday. Three of the pickets took place in England, while one occurred in Scotland.

It followed two previous factory blockades organised by WfFP, both of which targeted only one location.

The first was held in late October and was attended by more than 150 trade unionists.

The second picket occurred at a different company's premises on 10 November and drew 400 participants.

'Amazing to see'

"It's amazing to see how these actions have kind of taken off over the last couple of months," said Jeanine Hourani, 29, who was in Wimborne on behalf of the Palestinian Youth Movement.

The factory blockades in the UK on Thursday were organised in coordination with workers carrying out similar demonstrations in Denmark, France, and the Netherlands.

"And we've also seen over the last couple of months… actions in Canada, the US, Australia," Hourani added.

"As a Palestinian organiser… and a union member, it's amazing to see workers taking action, meaningful action in response to a call from Palestine."

Hourani said there had been a united call from several trade unions in Palestine for workers around the world to act.

WfFP said the Workers in Palestine coalition of Palestinian trade unions is urging industrial action and civil disobedience to halt the arms trade with Israel.

Protesters outside Eaton Mission Systems began their blockade between around 07:15 and 07:30 GMT.

They battled the rain and chanted slogans including "free, free Palestine", "ceasefire now", and "stop bombing Gaza".

Several cars driving by honked their horns in apparent shows of support.

It comes amid Israel's war on Gaza, which has so far killed nearly 17,500 people – the majority women and children. Hospitals, ambulances, and homes have come under attack.

'Tired of mourning'

Mesh, a doctor in Britain's NHS public health system, wore a blue medical uniform and brought a stethoscope to the picket.

"Just on a kind of human level, I think I can speak on behalf of a lot of healthcare workers who feel tired of mourning the loss of thousands and thousands of lives," he said.

"And at some point, you realise that you can't just plaster over cuts, you can't treat disease without understanding the underlying cause of that disease and trying to prevent it."

Mesh, a member of the British Medical Association trade union, said the killing of thousands of Palestinians was "not some isolated event".

He added that neither was Hamas's 7 October attack inside Israel, which killed some 1,200 people.

"[It] exists within a system that is not a conflict between two sides, but rather the occupation of Palestinian land and people, by Israelis," he said.

"And for me, until we have one land where one person has one vote, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, we will see this conflict continue."

The spokesperson for Eaton said the company respects everyone's right to peaceful protest and recognises strong feelings exist about the Gaza war.

"As we did from the outset, we condemn in the strongest terms the brutal actions that Hamas has carried out," he said.

"We stand with the innocent people of Palestine and Israel whose lives are being deeply impacted by these atrocities and we deeply regret the many lives lost.

"Our employees are a big part of the community in and around Wimborne and our teams and are proud of the work they do."

The spokesperson added: "We respect everyone's opinions and welcome open dialogue on issues that affect them. We can always learn from each other, clarify any assumptions that have been made, and make sure there is no misunderstanding."

The local Dorset Police said they were made aware of a demonstration occurring at an address matching the site of the Eaton protest on Thursday.

"Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing disruption to residents and businesses," police added.

"We respect people's right to lawful protest and will seek to facilitate a peaceful protest, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly."

Police said the group of demonstrators left by about 12:40 GMT, adding that no one was arrested.