PROSECUTIONS of anti-arms trade activists are “clearly political” and “designed to deter peace protests,” campaigners warned today before three pro-Palestine demonstrators go on trial next week.

The Hastings Three — 71-year-old Laurance Holden, 31-year-old Clem McCullough and 24-year-old Thomas Delves — took part in a protest outside arms manufacturer General Dynamic’s Hastings premises on February 29.

They will appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and plead not guilty to charges of aggravated trespass.

Hastings and District Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised the rally over General Dynamics’ provision of equipment to the Israeli military.

Its chairwoman Katy Colley said: “The pursuit of these men is clearly political and designed to deter peaceful protests.

“There is a clear legal imperative to stop arming Israel … And yet our government continues to issue export licences to companies like General Dynamics, allowing Israel to continue its barbaric and murderous campaign against the trapped civilian population in Gaza.

“The Hastings Three are brave, principled people who do not want our town to be complicit in war crimes. They are with the majority.

“We stand with them, the side of the people, the side of the law and the side of justice.”

Hastings and District Trades Union Council chairman Simon Hester sent a message of support to the defendants and said that the trades council “demands an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.”

Kathy Shapiro of Hastings Jews for Justice said that her group was outraged by the trial, adding: “It is General Dynamics that should be on trial, not concerned citizens.

“As Jews of conscience, we will continue to exercise our right and moral obligation to speak out against this criminal complicity until there is an arms embargo of Israel, a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and justice and freedom for Palestinians.”

Jewish Voice for Labour co-chairwoman Leah Levane said: “The [International Court of Justice] decision makes stopping arms trading with Israel an obligation and these three people have been arrested for protesting in favour of international law. 

“I am disappointed, to put it mildly, that the court’s precious and expensive time is being used to try three men whose acts show their commitment to international law as well as to justice for Palestinians and, of course, peace.”

Protesters will gather outside the court in solidarity from 9am on Tuesday.