PRO-PALESTINIAN activists intensified a blockade of an Israeli-French drone factory in Leicester today by obstructing both access roads.

Palestine Action protesters targeted the factory of UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), a subsidiary of Israeli military technology firm Elbit Systems, for the second day in an effort to disrupt the company’s work.

The group also reported 18 arrests today, although Leicestershire Police said that 26 people had been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

”These individuals have taken it upon themselves to make sure that UAV Tactical Systems does not open and to stand against the ‘business-as-usual’ of a company whose profits are soaked in Palestinian blood,” a Palestine Action spokesperson said.

“This site’s existence is a stain on this country and we remain determined to see U-TacS closed down.”

Protesters made their way past the police and a metal separation wall guarding the site’s second entrance, leaving both access points on the Meridian East road now blockaded.

The group said that more developments were expected as scores of activists continue to mobilise against UAV Tactical Systems in solidarity with the victims of Elbit weaponry in Palestine and elsewhere.

Ahead of the siege, Palestine Action had pledged that UAV Tactical Systems would become the third Elbit site to be shut down permanently, after sustained actions at its Oldham factory and London headquarters led to their closure.

Today’s protest actions followed hundreds of activists turning out on Monday, the first day of the siege.

UAV Tactical Systems is an Israeli-French joint venture based in Leicester’s Meridian Business Park that regularly supplies drones and drone technology to the Israeli military.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.