A weapons factory that manufactures fighter jet parts bound for Israel in Edinburgh was shut down today by activists who claim it is "complicit in the occupation of Palestine".
Leonardo, an Italian firm that is one of the UK's largest arms producers, makes components for the F-35 fighter jet, some of which are sold to Israel by the US, as well as the Apache attack helicopter.
Videos circulating on social media show police officers forcibly removing protesters outside the factory.
One activist who was part of the blockade on Wednesday, a 29-year-old health charity worker named Asleem, said: "Officially, there has been a 'ceasefire', but the indiscriminate killing and maiming has not ceased.
"Meanwhile, Leonardo UK receives subsidies from the Scottish Government despite its complicity in the occupation of Palestine," he told The Herald.
Another protester, Andy, a 30-year-old nurse, told the paper: "We want to encourage workers of Leonardo to take action within their trade union to end this F-35 contract with Lockheed Martin, and amplify the voices of Palestine Action prisoners who have been on hunger strike in British prisons."
EDINBURGH: Police are assertively removing pro-Pals from blocking access to a Leonardo factory. Good to see proactive action. There’s multiple coordinated blockades across the country. This is escalating and needs stamping out quick. pic.twitter.com/qBEsFZp4t7
— Heidi Bachram 🎗️ (@HeidiBachram) January 28, 2026
The jets are manufactured as part of an international cooperation programme and assembled in the US by Lockheed, before being sold abroad by the company – with US government approval – to a number of states.
Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East allowed to purchase them, though Washington recently signed a deal to sell them to Saudi Arabia.
The Edinburgh factory also manufactures laser systems for Lockheed, which then sells the systems to Israel.
Protestors held Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as "solidarity not complicity" and "no business as usual during genocide".
A Leonardo spokesperson told the JC: "Leonardo UK is subject to UK Government export controls and does not supply equipment directly 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."
They did not comment on whether or not the factory has reopened.
Police were in attendance at the blockade after receiving a "report of a protest outside a business" and have told the JC that the protesters were moved on and no arrests were made.
The blockade comes as pro-Palestine groups plan a mass demonstration in London on Saturday, calling on the UK Government to "stop arming Israel" and also calling for "accountability".
Activists from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) plan to march through central London in a “national march for Palestine".
Advertising the event on its social media, the PSC said: “Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people has not ended. Join us for the next march for Palestine to demand our government end its complicity in Israel’s violence.”
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