Protesters blockade Leonardo site in Edinburgh over Gaza jet links
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Protesters have blockaded the entrance to an Edinburgh weapons systems manufacturer
Protesters gathered outside Leonardo in Edinburgh in the early hours of Thursday morning as part of an ongoing series of actions over the past two and a half years.
The protesters are calling on the company to end its contract with Lockheed Martin – whose jets have been used in Gaza, according to protesters.
In a statement, the group said it was: "[Blockading] all entrances to Leonardo UK in Edinburgh, demanding it drop the F-35 contract with Lockheed Martin to end its ongoing complicity in the obliteration of Gaza and Israel's illegal and grievous military aggression against Iran and Lebanon in recent months."
One protester, 42-year-old dentist Zahra, called on workers at the plant to disrupt the production of components for the F-35 jets.
She said "Leonardo bosses are reaping record profits from a genocidal war in which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Workers have the power to disrupt and stop components for F-35s from being made.
“The UK Government are trying to intimidate us by calling protesters ‘extremist’ and limiting rights to protest. But we won’t be deterred, and neither will people across the UK taking similar direct action too in a defiant response to these threats.
“We will continue to disrupt production at this site until they stop arming Israel’s murderous war machine.
In April, more than 100 protesters shut down the street outside the manufacturing site as they took action against alleged weapons sales to Israel. In July last year, three women were arrested under the Terrorism Act after they drove a van into a fence at the manufacturing plant.
A Leonardo spokesperson said: "Earlier today, a group of protesters gathered at the entrance to our Crewe Toll site in Edinburgh. While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the local community remain our absolute priority. Police are in attendance and the situation is being managed safely.
"Leonardo UK is subject to UK Government export controls and all of our exports are subject to rigorous licensing processes. Leonardo UK does not supply equipment directly to Israel."
It is understood no arrests have been made.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 5.15am on Thursday, 16 July, 2026, we were called to a report of a protest outside a business premises in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh.
"Officers are in attendance."
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