PALESTINE campaigners demonstrated outside Manchester Crown Court today in support of two activists involved in occupying an Israeli arms factory and forcing it to shut down.

Defendants Andrew McMaster and Adam Haigh face charges of criminal damage in relation to an action at the Israeli-owned Elbit Ferranti factory in Oldham.

The factory, which had manufactured drones for the Israeli military, was permanently closed in February last year following a year-long campaign of occupations, blockades and demonstrations.

Both defendants appeared today at a preliminary hearing in preparation for the trial, which is due to start next Tuesday and last for four days.

Campaign group Palestine Action has called for daily protests in support of the defendants when the trial begins.

A spokesperson said: “Help is really needed for these heroes. This is part of the fight to stop Israel profiteering in Britain from their brutal attacks on the Palestinians.”

The group continues to mount actions against four other Elbit factories in Britain.