FIREFIGHTERS have been urged by their union not to assist police in removing pro-Palestine protesters mounting rooftop occupations of British factories manufacturing weapons for Israel.
The solidarity message from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to its 32,000 members follows an incident in Leicester on Wednesday in which firefighters responded to a call from police to an occupation by supporters of direct action group Palestine Action.
Protesters were targeting Israeli-owned Elbit’s Tactical Systems factory in Leicester.
During the action, firefighters from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the building and deployed an aerial appliance.
Photographs of the occupation show firefighters apparently removing one protester using the device.
“The protester was wrapped in a sort of sling,” one witness said.
But in a message to firefighters since the incident, FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “The role of the firefighter is to save lives and protect the community.
“There is no justification for firefighters being asked to assist in the removal of protesters.
“Our advice is clear: firefighters should refuse to participate in law enforcement activities alongside the police.
“We support the rights of the protesters and the call for peace and justice for Gaza.”
Referring specifically to the Leicester incident, the union said in a message to members: “The FBU is aware that pro-Palestine protesters are holding further demonstrations in Leicester.
“Previously, firefighters have been asked to assist police in removing protesters. The FBU advises all members not to be involved in law enforcement activities.”
Firefighters have been repeatedly called to rooftop occupations by police asking for help since British arms factories began being targeted three years ago.
In some instances, firefighters have refused to assist police and have driven off.
In others, they have stayed on-site in case protesters ask to be removed, or if the situation becomes dangerous.
One of five Elbit UK factories targeted for occupations was the company’s site at Oldham in Greater Manchester three years ago.
The factory, now permanently closed after more than a year of occupations and protests, was occupied by Palestine Action and targeted by campaign groups in Manchester that mounted blockades and demonstrations.
John Nicholson of Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine was a regular protester.
“Police called firefighters and we saw them coming,” he told the Star.
“We met the firefighters and asked them if they were in the union. They were, and we said the FBU had a good policy on Palestine.
“They took a look at the situation and stayed in the distance.”
He recalled that on one occasion when Palestine Action occupied the roof of the Leicester factory on May 2 2022, the fire brigade was called by the police.
“The firefighters explicitly refused to assist the police in removing the protesters,” he said.
Palestine protests calling for a ceasefire will continue across Britain this weekend as Israel defies international opinion and continues its attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where an estimated 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
Palestine supporters in Kent will rally on Saturday to demand that the Discovery Park in Sandwich evicts an arms manufacturer, Elbit-owned Instro Precision, from the site.
The rally takes place at Guildhall Forecourt in Sandwich from 1pm, and includes speakers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War and Jewish Voice for Labour.
