More than 100 Pro-Palestine protestors shut down Edinburgh’s Leonardo factory on Wednesday 20 November 2024
Leonardo, the Italian-owned global security company, is the UK’s largest manufacturer of the sensors and electronic systems used by advanced military aircraft.
Leonardo is one of the biggest suppliers to the UK’s Ministry of Defence, and produces the laser technology used by the Israeli Defence Force’s F-35 aircraft, as well as parts for Apache helicopters.
Among other things, the Edinburgh branch of Leonardo produces lasers for the US military, as well as radar for Typhon fighter jets and the Norwegian coast guard.
In response to the protest, a spokesperson for Leonardo said: “Leonardo UK is subject to UK Government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel.
“The safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and neighbours is our first priority.
“Aggression towards, or the intimidation of, our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable.
“We are advising employees to work remotely wherever possible today.
Leonardo provides laser technology for the F-35 aircraft to the United States under the UK Government’s Open General Export Licence, which allows for the US to export UK-manufactured F-35 components to its export customers.”
While Leonardo does not directly supply the Israeli Defence Force with their products, the weapons manufactured in Edinburgh are still sent to Israel by the UK Government and defence company Lockheed Martin, with whom they have contracts.
One protestor told STV News that she was “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.”
On 7 October 2023, Hamas forces from Palestine attacked Israel, killing 1200 people, and taking 240 hostages.
Israel responded by launching a campaign against them.
Since 7 October 2023, the Palestinian health ministry has reported the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinian civilians and fighters.
Following the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, which was issued on the grounds of alleged war crimes, arms manufacturers like Leonardo have become even more controversial.
In September 2024, the UK suspended 30 of its arms licenses to Israel due to humanitarian concerns, although approximately 330 licenses have remained intact.
This is not the first time Leonardo has been protested against. In Autumn of this year, protestors picketed outside the Edinburgh International Conference Centre for 4 days, protesting an ongoing arms conference in which Leonardo was involved.
“Palestine flag (2)” by Socialist Appeal is licensed under CC BY 2.0.