Pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested outside UK arms firm
Demonstrators advocating for Palestine were apprehended by police outside the London headquarters of a prominent defense contractor, Elbit Systems, on Thursday. The protest, organized by Palestine Action, targeted the company’s alleged involvement in supplying weapons used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Palestine Action stated that the arrests occurred after activists occupied the building’s reception area, displaying banners and chanting slogans. The group claims Elbit Systems is a key supplier of military technology to Israel, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that several individuals were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.The exact number of arrests was not immediately available.
Elbit systems has not yet issued a statement regarding the protest or the arrests.
The protest comes amidst heightened international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza,where a significant number of casualties have been reported. The Israeli military stated that its operations in Gaza, which began after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, are being reviewed.They noted that the reported IDF activity resulting in fatalities occurred hours before the protest sites opened and that most casualties were several kilometers away from the nearest aid institution’s site.
The conflict originated with the October 2023 attacks by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has led to an estimated 58,000 Palestinian casualties, with a majority being civilians, according to health officials. The conflict has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, creating a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, are underway in doha, aiming for a 60-day ceasefire and a hostage release agreement. However, no significant breakthroughs have been reported.It is believed that at least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are still alive.
