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Campaigners blockade BAE Systems site in Glasgow over ‘Israel ties’
Lucinda Cameron, PA Scotland
Thu, 7 December 2023 at 1:34 am GMT
Campaigners are staging a blockade at a defence company’s shipyard in Glasgow in protest over its ties to Israel as they call for a ceasefire.
The blockade at the entrances to the BAE Systems site in Govan in Glasgow has been organised by a local group in co-ordination with Workers for a Free Palestine.
The demonstration is one of four across the UK on Thursday morning, with campaigners saying more than 1,000 workers and trade unionists have blockaded four arms factories in England and Scotland.
Protesters form a blockade outside Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth
Lucinda Cameron, PA Scotland
Thu, 7 December 2023 at 1:34 am GMT
Campaigners are staging a blockade at a defence company’s shipyard in Glasgow in protest over its ties to Israel as they call for a ceasefire.
The blockade at the entrances to the BAE Systems site in Govan in Glasgow has been organised by a local group in co-ordination with Workers for a Free Palestine.
The demonstration is one of four across the UK on Thursday morning, with campaigners saying more than 1,000 workers and trade unionists have blockaded four arms factories in England and Scotland.
Protesters form a blockade outside Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
They are urging BAE and other companies to end their ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading with them.
They are also calling on the UK Government to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and are calling for an end to the occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
More than 600 trade unionists have blocked Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth, and hundreds of others have shut down arms factories in Brighton, Lancashire and Glasgow which produce components for the F-35 stealth aircrafts, campaigners said.
The group Workers for a Free Palestine said it is escalating its tactics by targeting four factories at once in different parts of Britain as part of a coordinated international action today.
Jenny, a spokeswoman for the Workers for a Free Palestine group, who did not give her surname said: “The fighter jets these factories help to produce are being used to imprison the people of Gaza in a death trap.
“They are ordered to evacuate when they have nowhere safe to go, while our Government still refuses to back a ceasefire.
“Workers all over Britain are rising up for Palestine, saying we will not allow arms used in a genocide to be supplied in our name and funded by our taxes.
“Our movement is growing rapidly and gaining more momentum each day.
“We are escalating our tactics and today’s blockades are seeing unprecedented numbers of people take part in the disruption of Israeli arms manufacturing in Britain, in concert with workers targeting Israeli arms suppliers around Europe.
“We won’t stop shutting down these factories until they stop supporting Israel’s murderous war machine.”
Protesters form a blockade outside BAE Systems in the Govan area (Jane Barlow/PA)
Activists holding a banner saying “Stop Arming Israel” could be seen at one of the entrances to the Govan factory, while at another demonstrators held Palestinian flags.
They claim that BAE systems produces components of weapons sold to Israel, such as the F35 combat aircraft and the Mk 38 Mod 2 machine gun system.
Scott, a youth worker aged 26, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “We are not here to shame or blame workers at BAE.
“The company’s management decides what to produce and who to sell to – it is them we hold accountable for being part of the chain of killing.”
Jay, a visual artist aged 24, said: “I came here today to show that direct action is for everyone and that together, we can change the way the world turns.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We’re horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it’s having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved 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.”
They are urging BAE and other companies to end their ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading with them.
They are also calling on the UK Government to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and are calling for an end to the occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
More than 600 trade unionists have blocked Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth, and hundreds of others have shut down arms factories in Brighton, Lancashire and Glasgow which produce components for the F-35 stealth aircrafts, campaigners said.
The group Workers for a Free Palestine said it is escalating its tactics by targeting four factories at once in different parts of Britain as part of a coordinated international action today.
Jenny, a spokeswoman for the Workers for a Free Palestine group, who did not give her surname said: “The fighter jets these factories help to produce are being used to imprison the people of Gaza in a death trap.
“They are ordered to evacuate when they have nowhere safe to go, while our Government still refuses to back a ceasefire.
“Workers all over Britain are rising up for Palestine, saying we will not allow arms used in a genocide to be supplied in our name and funded by our taxes.
“Our movement is growing rapidly and gaining more momentum each day.
“We are escalating our tactics and today’s blockades are seeing unprecedented numbers of people take part in the disruption of Israeli arms manufacturing in Britain, in concert with workers targeting Israeli arms suppliers around Europe.
“We won’t stop shutting down these factories until they stop supporting Israel’s murderous war machine.”
Protesters form a blockade outside BAE Systems in the Govan area (Jane Barlow/PA)
Activists holding a banner saying “Stop Arming Israel” could be seen at one of the entrances to the Govan factory, while at another demonstrators held Palestinian flags.
They claim that BAE systems produces components of weapons sold to Israel, such as the F35 combat aircraft and the Mk 38 Mod 2 machine gun system.
Scott, a youth worker aged 26, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “We are not here to shame or blame workers at BAE.
“The company’s management decides what to produce and who to sell to – it is them we hold accountable for being part of the chain of killing.”
Jay, a visual artist aged 24, said: “I came here today to show that direct action is for everyone and that together, we can change the way the world turns.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We’re horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it’s having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved 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.”
Lucinda Cameron and Alan Jones
Thu, 7 December 2023
Hundreds of campaigners have staged protests outside a number of defence factories in the latest demonstration against arms being sent to Israel.
The campaign group Workers for a Free Palestine said it had blockaded sites in Bournemouth, Glasgow, Brighton and Lancashire, some of which are operated by defence giant BAE Systems.
The company’s shipyard in Glasgow was targeted in the early morning protests on Thursday, which the campaign group said demonstrated it was escalating its action after previous blockades.
The demonstrators are urging BAE and other companies to end their ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading with them.
They are also calling on the UK Government to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and are calling for an end to the occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Protesters form a blockade outside Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The biggest protest was at Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth where around 600 people took part.
Jenny, a spokeswoman for the Workers for a Free Palestine group, who did not give her surname, said: “The fighter jets these factories help to produce are being used to imprison the people of Gaza in a death trap.
“They are ordered to evacuate when they have nowhere safe to go, while our Government still refuses to back a ceasefire.
“Workers all over Britain are rising up for Palestine, saying we will not allow arms used in a genocide to be supplied in our name and funded by our taxes.
“Our movement is growing rapidly and gaining more momentum each day.
“We are escalating our tactics and today’s blockades are seeing unprecedented numbers of people take part in the disruption of Israeli arms manufacturing in Britain, in concert with workers targeting Israeli arms suppliers around Europe.
“We won’t stop shutting down these factories until they stop supporting Israel’s murderous war machine.”
Activists holding a banner saying “Stop Arming Israel” could be seen at one of the entrances to the Govan factory, while at another demonstrators held Palestinian flags.
They claim that BAE systems produces components of weapons sold to Israel, such as the F35 combat aircraft and the Mk 38 Mod 2 machine gun system.
Scott, a youth worker aged 26, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “We are not here to shame or blame workers at BAE.
“The company’s management decides what to produce and who to sell to – it is them we hold accountable for being part of the chain of killing.”
Activists blocking one of the site entrances in Govan chanted “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
Protesters form a blockade outside BAE Systems in the Govan area of Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA)
One of those demonstrating in Govan, who gave his name only as Oli, said people in Glasgow are saying “enough is enough”.
He told the PA news agency: “We wanted to stop business and to tell BAE we are prepared to do this as long as we can to make you think twice about the decisions you make.
“Glasgow does not need to make war machines. Glasgow and the people of Glasgow are saying we want to make things that are useful for people, not harmful.”
Jay, a visual artist aged 24, said: “I came here today to show that direct action is for everyone and that together, we can change the way the world turns.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We’re horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it’s having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved 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.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of a protest outside premises in Govan Road and officers are in attendance.”
Similar protests were held in other European countries on Thursday including France and Denmark.
Activists in Glasgow shut down BAE Systems in Govan in call for Palestine ceasefire
Gabriel McKay
Wed, 6 December 2023
Activists outside the factory this morning (Image: PA)
More than 100 activists have blockaded a factory in Glasgow in protest over its ties to Israel as they call for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip.
A blockade is in place at the BAE Systems factory in Govan by a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in co-ordination with the organisation Workers For A Free Palestine.
They are calling on the company to cut all ties to the state of Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading with the country.
The group are also calling for the UK government to back a permanent ceasefire, and for an end to the occupation of Palestine. Both the West Bank and Gaza are defined by the UK government as occupied territories.
Read More: Defence giant creates 300 new shipbuilding jobs in Glasgow
Simultaneous action is taking place at three other arms factories in the UK, in Bournemouth, Lancashire and Brighton, as well as in France, Denmark and the Netherlands.
BAE produces various components of weapons which are sold to Israel, including the F35 combat aircraft and the MK 38 Mod 2 machine gun system.
In November, HMS Diamond, a ship made at BAE Govan, was deployed to the Persian Gulf in response to 'rising tensions in the Middle East', while armour for the second batch of Type 26 frigates being built at the site for the Royal Navy was provided by the Israeli defence company Plasan.
Scottish Enterprise has given close to £10m to arms firms which supply weapons to Israel between 2016 and 2020, including £1.6m to BAE Systems.
The defence giant announced on Wednesday that it would add 300 more apprentices and graduates to its workforce in Scotland in 2024.
Those involved in the action said they were not looking to target the workers at the Govan plant, but rather the company itself.
The Herald:
Harsha, a carer aged 35, said: “It’s not right that BAE Systems profit from the genocide in Gaza.
"I’m also disgusted that whilst the Scottish Parliament have voted to back a ceasefire and the First Minister has spoken up in support of the Palestinian people, Scottish Enterprise has given funding to BAE.
"This public money, our money, should be invested in caring, not killing.”
Scott, a youth worker aged 26, said: “We are not here to shame or blame workers at BAE.
"The company’s management decides what to produce and who to sell to – it is them we hold accountable for being part of the chain of killing.”
Jay, a visual artist aged 24, said: “I will not stand by while civilians are murdered with weapons from companies like BAE, Thales and Leonardo, which all have significant presence in Scotland.
"I came here today to show that direct action is for everyone and that together, we can change the way the world turns.”
A Police Scotland Spokesperson said: "We are aware of a protest outside premises in Govan Road and officers are in attendance."
Gabriel McKay
Wed, 6 December 2023
Activists outside the factory this morning (Image: PA)
More than 100 activists have blockaded a factory in Glasgow in protest over its ties to Israel as they call for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip.
A blockade is in place at the BAE Systems factory in Govan by a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in co-ordination with the organisation Workers For A Free Palestine.
They are calling on the company to cut all ties to the state of Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading with the country.
The group are also calling for the UK government to back a permanent ceasefire, and for an end to the occupation of Palestine. Both the West Bank and Gaza are defined by the UK government as occupied territories.
Read More: Defence giant creates 300 new shipbuilding jobs in Glasgow
Simultaneous action is taking place at three other arms factories in the UK, in Bournemouth, Lancashire and Brighton, as well as in France, Denmark and the Netherlands.
BAE produces various components of weapons which are sold to Israel, including the F35 combat aircraft and the MK 38 Mod 2 machine gun system.
In November, HMS Diamond, a ship made at BAE Govan, was deployed to the Persian Gulf in response to 'rising tensions in the Middle East', while armour for the second batch of Type 26 frigates being built at the site for the Royal Navy was provided by the Israeli defence company Plasan.
Scottish Enterprise has given close to £10m to arms firms which supply weapons to Israel between 2016 and 2020, including £1.6m to BAE Systems.
The defence giant announced on Wednesday that it would add 300 more apprentices and graduates to its workforce in Scotland in 2024.
Those involved in the action said they were not looking to target the workers at the Govan plant, but rather the company itself.
The Herald:
Harsha, a carer aged 35, said: “It’s not right that BAE Systems profit from the genocide in Gaza.
"I’m also disgusted that whilst the Scottish Parliament have voted to back a ceasefire and the First Minister has spoken up in support of the Palestinian people, Scottish Enterprise has given funding to BAE.
"This public money, our money, should be invested in caring, not killing.”
Scott, a youth worker aged 26, said: “We are not here to shame or blame workers at BAE.
"The company’s management decides what to produce and who to sell to – it is them we hold accountable for being part of the chain of killing.”
Jay, a visual artist aged 24, said: “I will not stand by while civilians are murdered with weapons from companies like BAE, Thales and Leonardo, which all have significant presence in Scotland.
"I came here today to show that direct action is for everyone and that together, we can change the way the world turns.”
A Police Scotland Spokesperson said: "We are aware of a protest outside premises in Govan Road and officers are in attendance."
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