North Devon protestors demonstrate outside factory that supplies jet parts to Israel

A contingent from North Devon joined others from across the South West to protest outside the Lockheed Martin factory near Portsmouth they say supplies parts for the jets bombing Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Members of the North Devon Palestine Solidarity Group set off early to join other demonstrators for the peaceful protest at the factory in Havant, near Portsmouth, on the same day as other protests in Sheffield and Rochester.

In anticipation of the protest, the Lockheed Martin factory had closed for the day and there was no workforce on site.

Despite this, the North Devon group said they made their voices heard and one of their number, a local doctor who has worked as a medic in Southern Lebanon treating war-injured children, gave an impassioned speech about the horrific effects of the relentless bombing.

Spokesperson for the North Devon group, Dave Clinch, echoing the words of PSC’s national director, Ben Jamal, said: “Our government have continued to sell arms to Israel, despite the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel’s action is a genocide.

“Since March there has been a complete siege on Gaza. Israel stopped all aid, food, water, medical supplies into Gaza and has organised so called food aid in such a way that their military can kill those queuing for it with absolute impunity.

“Lockheed Martin supplies parts for the F-35 jets that Israel is using to destroy Gaza. Lockheed Martin have sent seven shipments of supplies to Israel since October 2023. This must stop.”

In response to the demonstration, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told the Evening Standard: “We respect the right to peaceful protest and we remain focused on supporting our customers to deliver strategic deterrence and security solutions.”