AN arms factory came under siege today when pro-Palestinian activists used a van to block its only entrance and exit.

Palestine Action activists sealed off Israeli-owned Elbit Systems’ research, development and manufacturing hub in Filton, Bristol.

Supporters used fire extinguishers filled with red paint to spray the site and raised a banner reading “Free the Filton 10” — a reference to the 10 imprisoned activists accused of causing more than £1 million damage at the site.

According to Palestine Action, Elbit Systems markets the weapons it manufactures as “battle-tested.”

Elbit has four factories in Britain. 

Two other factories at Oldham in Greater Manchester and Tamworth in Staffordshire were shut down after repeated protests and occupations.

A Palestine Action spokesperson said: “The British state continues to imprison the ‘Filton10’ in a bid to serve the interests [of] Israel’s biggest weapons firm over the rights and freedoms of its own citizens.”

The group said its direct action campaign would continue until Elbit shut down completely in Britain.