PRO-PALESTINIAN activists occupied an Israeli drone factory in Staffordshire yesterday in protest against British arms deals with Tel Aviv.

Campaigners with London Palestine Action took over the roof of UAV Engines Limited - a subsidiary of Israel's largest weapons manufacturer - at around 5am yesterday.

The dozen protesters climbed to the top of a building after chaining the factory gates, hanging several banners and lighting up smoke flares.

Occupier Sara Cooper argued that "by allowing this factory to export engines for killer drones to Israel, the Westminster government is providing direct support and approval to Israel's massacres."

With the factory officially shut down, the group publicly demanded an end to British arming of what they see as "Israel's crimes against humanity."

Police first appeared on the site around two hours later, closing off all of the factory's surrounding roads.

Firefighters were also called on site to attempt to negotiate with protesters.

Images of firefighters on a cherry-picker truck trying to dissuade activists from the occupation quickly turned viral online.

But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) was quick to let press and protesters know that it supports people's right to protest.

"The demonstration at the factory is an example of the widespread condemnation of the human suffering in Gaza," said FBU assistant general secretary Andy Dark.

The union passed a resolution last week officially calling for a lifting of the Gaza blockade and supporting the boycott of settlement goods and divestment sanctions on Israel.

Others came in support of the occupation claiming it was to be expected given the government's response to the massacre.

Amnesty International UK arms programme campaign manager Oliver Sprague said: "Quite frankly no UK-based company should currently be supplying the Israeli military with any arms or equipment.

"Before these protests escalate, Downing Street should announce an immediate suspension of any further arms to Israel."

British author Ben White told the Star that the action taken at the UAV factory was "an important way to highlight the complicity of companies based in the UK with ongoing Israeli war crimes."

His book Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner's Guide was being promoted as one of the occupation's "revolutionary literature" recommendations.

Mr White supported the stunt stating: "It will draw attention to the ways in which it is possible for the British public and the British government to respond to the atrocities in Gaza with real concrete action.

"Naming and shaming those complicit and also imposing an arms embargo and ending export licences."

As the Star went to press the occupation was still ongoing with protesters chanting: "Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israeli apartheid's going to fall."

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com