PALESTINE campaigners blockaded and closed an Israeli-owned British arms factory today.

UAV Engines at Shenstone in Staffordshire is one of five British factories owned by Israel’s biggest arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.

The factory makes engines for military drones used by Israel in its slaughter in Gaza.

Weekly protests are mounted outside the factory by local Palestine campaigners supported by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP) activists.

John Nicholson of GMFP told the Morning Star: “There are 200 people outside Elbit’s Shenstone factory accompanied, ridiculously, by dozens of police officers and police cars.

“The factory is shut and the protest is lively and enthusiastic. We do not want Elbit in Shenstone or in our country.

“If Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will not stop the arms sales to Israel, we must do it ourselves.”

The protest was supported by the PCS union’s samba band.

The Shenstone factory has also been targeted by Palestine Action, which has staged occupations and wrecked machinery used to manufacture drone engines.