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Arrests at pro-Palestinian drone factory protest in Leicester

Vedat Xhymshiti Protesters on roofVedat Xhymshiti
The group said its occupation would not be ended by a ceasefire in the Middle East

Two people have been arrested near a drone factory where a pro-Palestinian protest has entered its third day.

Members of campaign group Palestine Action have been occupying the roof of the Israeli-owned Elbit Systems subsidiary UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester since Wednesday morning.

The arrested pair were giving water to the protesters, the group said.

Police confirmed a woman and man were held on suspicion of aiding and abetting an aggravated trespass.

The facility at Meridian Business Park builds unmanned aerial vehicles that the protesters allege have been used in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

While a ceasefire has begun, it is thought more than 240 people were killed in 11 days of clashes.

The fighting began on 10 May after weeks of rising tensions.

Palestinians say they are suffering because of Israeli actions and restrictions, including the threatened eviction of some families in East Jerusalem. Israel says it is only acting to protect itself from Palestinian violence.

It culminated in clashes at al-Aqsa, a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. After warning Israel to withdraw, Hamas began firing rockets, triggering retaliatory air strikes.

Palestine Action Arrested protesterPalestine Action
Campaigners said the arrested pair were providing water to those occupying the factory

A spokesman for the group said the ceasefire would not end the factory occupation.

"Our activism does not stop when Israel stops dropping bombs. It stops when the illegal occupation and systematic brutalisation of the Palestinians stop," the group said in a statement.

"This 'ceasefire', if it is implemented at all, will mean only a return to the status quo."

A number of cars were seen to be sounding horns and flashing lights outside the factory on Thursday night.

Palestine Action Car protest outside factoryPalestine Action
Footage shared on social media has shown cars flashing lights and sounding horns outside the factory

On Wednesday morning four people in red boiler suits climbed on to the roof of the factory and sprayed red paint on one of its walls.

Police have maintained a presence at the site throughout, using a fire service aerial platform to talk to the group.

Leicestershire Police said the arrested pair, a 23-year-old man and 57-year-old woman from Leicester, remain in custody.

Vedat Xhymshiti Police vans at sceneVedat Xhymshiti
Officers are "continuing to maintain an open dialogue" with the group, police said

Staffordshire Police also confirmed a protest was held outside an Elbit-linked factory in Shenstone, Lichfield, on Thursday.

Elbit has not commented on the protest.

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