PALESTINE supporters blockaded today an east Midlands factory that makes military drones for Israel.

Activists from Palestine Action mounted the action at UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS) in Meridian East Business Park in Leicester.

The factory is owned by Israeli-owned arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.

Two activists chained themselves to a van, partially blocking the entrance to the site, and two others locked on underneath a car that was also blocking the entrance.

Palestine Action has been targeting Elbit factories for more than two years.

Elbit has four factories remaining in Britain after a fifth closed permanently in February last year following a long-running campaign of occupations and protests.

The death toll in Israel’s onslaught on Gaza has now reached 13,000 people with 30,000 injured.

Palestine Action said: “UAV Tactical Systems is a joint venture of Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, and French arms company Thales.

“Today’s action is a concrete form of solidarity with the Palestinians under attack while Western governments insist on supporting Israel to the hilt despite growing public opposition.

“Palestine Action last hit the U-TacS site following the massacre of over 500 people in al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital, and this past week the world has once again witnessed the brutal attack and occupation of al-Shifa Hospital by Israeli forces.

“On Saturday, a UN assessment team discovered a mass grave of Palestinians outside the medical complex, and the World Health Organisation has described the hospital as a ‘death zone.’

“British complicity in the genocide of Gaza will continue to be confronted by Palestine Action until all links have been broken.”