Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian Protesters Blockade BAE Systems Factory in UK Over Arms Sales to Israel

Protesters, including trade union members, demand an end to UK's complicity in Israeli war crimes, targeting BAE Systems for supplying components used in military aircraft involved in the Gaza conflict.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters, including trade union members, blockaded a BAE Systems factory in Rochester, Kent, demanding an end to UK's complicity in Israeli war crimes. The protest was part of an International Day of Action for Palestine.
The protesters claim that the factory provides components for military aircraft being used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The UK industry, including the blockaded site, reportedly provides 15% of the components in the F35 stealth combat aircraft used in the bombardment of Gaza.
The protest aimed to disrupt the factory's operations by turning workers away and preventing deliveries from getting in and out of the factory. The blockade involved more than 400 trade unionists from various sectors, including health workers, teachers, hospitality workers, academics, and artists.
BAE Systems responded to the protest by stating that they respect everyone's right to peaceful protest and that they operate under strict regulation, complying fully with all applicable defense export controls. The company does not directly export equipment to Israel but supplies the US-made F35 fighter jets, which are used in the Gaza conflict.
The protest follows similar demonstrations outside Israeli-owned factories in Britain and the United States, and actions taken by unions in Belgium and Spain who have refused to handle shipments of military material over the war in Gaza.