Palestine Action have shut down the factory of Leonardo, a company directly complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza. But also, by default the Scottish government also has a hand in this – as it funded the corporation to the tune of millions.
The Italian-owned company, Leonardo, is one of the world’s biggest arms manufacturers, with extensive ties to the Israeli state. Since 2015, the Edinburgh plant has manufactured the laser-targeting systems for F-35 fighter jets, the model used by Israel to drop 2,000lb bombs on the Palestinian population of Gaza. Additionally, Leonardo makes parts for Israel’s Apache helicopters, while also maintaining deep partnership with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons company, for the purposes of supplying the Israeli Air Force.
SNP: complicit in genocide
Between 2016 and 2020, Leonardo received £7 million from the SNP-led Scottish government. Specifically, it got £786,125 from Scottish Enterprise in 2023, rendering the Scottish government itself complicit in Israel’s mass-murder of Palestinians.
In closing down the Leonardo factory, Palestine Action has sent a clear message to the British and Scottish governments – that we will not stand idly by as the war industry of Britain fuels and profits from Israel’s atrocities.
Palestine Action have struck at the Edinburgh Leonardo plant on numerous occasions since October 2023, including through occupations, blockades, and acts of sabotage.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: “While the British and Scottish governments continue to support the Israeli war industry, Palestine Action refuse to permit complicity. By shutting down Leonardo, Edinburgh, these activists are preventing the production of Palestinian slaughter.”
*Article originally published in The Canary. Imagen destacadavia Neil Terry Photography.
(Photos provided by The Canary and authorized for republication)
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