Protestors have once again shut down a factory in Edinburgh which produces components used by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

The Leonardo plant has been blockaded by protestors, who are calling on the company to immediately drop its contract to produce components for the F-35 fighter jet.

The demonstrators are aiming to shut down production for the day, and are calling on workers at the factory to implement the Unite trade union's position on Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) and the position taken by Aerospace and Shipbuilding reps at a national level.

The Leonardo plant in the capital has been targeted due to its components being used on the F-35, as well as the Apache attack helicopter.

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The company produces laser targeting systems for Lockheed Martin, which sells the jets to Israel.

The Israeli airforce has ordered a total of 75 F-35s, with 39 delivered as of July 2023, and also deploys Apaches.

Last November Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the jets are used in Gaza, saying in a briefing: "F-35 jets strike terror targets and assist ground forces in very close proximity strikes"

Protestors said UK ministers could potentially be complicit in war crimes by continuing to supply weapons to Israel, which is facing a charge of genocide at the International Court of Justice brought by South Africa.

Between 2016 and 2020, Leonardo received £7 million from the Scottish Government and £786,125 from Scottish Enterprise in 2023.

Protestors outside the Leonardo factoryProtestors outside the Leonardo factory (Image: Supplied)

Amnesty International said this week: "It is entirely inconsistent to turn a blind eye to the possibility that the Scottish government’s own financial support for arms companies may be involved, whether directly or indirectly, in manufacture and supply chains.”

Rebecca, 38, a charity project manager, said: "I'm so deeply upset and angry at the slaughter and degradation of people in Gaza, Palestine more widely, and in Lebanon. This is not simply a 'humanitarian disaster'- it's a deliberate action by Israel to eliminate all human life.

"Here in Scotland, we campaigned for free period products, but in Gaza, Israel's blockade means essential items are absent: not just period products but basic medicine, shampoo, or soap. There's no access to food or clean water, children are starving and contracting preventable diseases.

"I'm horrified by videos of Israeli politicians advocating for further atrocities, Israeli soldiers celebrating their destruction of life, while politicians here continue talking about Israel's 'defence'. Who is defending the civilians of Gaza?"

Patrick, 29, bar worker, said: "I'm here today because it's our obligation under international law to do what we can to ensure our communities are not complicit in genocide. I know people will say they're just doing their jobs, but we're past 'following orders' being an acceptable excuse. I'm not against any of the workers here: they're not the ones deciding what gets made in this factory. It's their bosses making those decisions and making a killing.

"I'm here to remind these workers that they can say no to that, to take a stance, and together pressure the decision-makers who choose to profit from Palestinian blood."

Alex, 20, college student and waiter, said: "Last month was the anniversary of 7th October 2023, and I still can't believe that after the year of inhumane violence and destruction we have seen, some people still seem to believe this is about getting back hostages.

"This didn't start a year ago: it is an intensification of occupation and ethnic cleansing that have been ongoing for over 70 years. My family from South Africa all said they recognise apartheid when we see it. South Africa presented a case outlining Israel's genocidal intent at the International Court of Justice nearly a year ago now.

"And despite all of this, most first world countries would rather profit from and be complicit in genocide than admit what's happening. It's up to us to witness against this barbarity."

Leonardo and Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.