Israel-Gaza: Four arrests after protest at drone factory

Four people have been arrested after activists opposed to Israel's military action in Gaza staged a protest at a drone factory.

Palestine Action activists scaled the roof at Elbit in Shenstone, Staffordshire.

Smoke canisters were let off and flags were waved on Tuesday before they were arrested.

Elbit UK said it "utterly condemned" the action and its work had continued uninterrupted.

Palestine Action claimed the plant made engines for a type of Israeli drone but the firm said that was "categorically false".

Elbit's global website said its unmanned aerial systems are the "backbone" of the Israeli Defence Force drone capability.

But its UK subsidiary said its work in Britain was focused on "providing advanced technology and critical support for the British armed forces".

In a statement to BBC News, Elbit UK said: "We utterly condemn those inciting and carrying out illegal and violent attacks on sites and individuals across the United Kingdom" and it would work with police to prosecute those "threatening the safety of our staff".

Staffordshire Police said it had attended to "balance the rights of the protestors against the rights of those affected by it".

After "several hours of negotiation", four people were arrested on suspicion of various offences including criminal damage and aggravated trespass, the force said.

All four were released on conditional bail.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held in the UK and elsewhere since Israel retaliated after Hamas attacked Israel earlier this month.

Israel said 1,400 people were killed in the attacks while the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said 8,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since.

Palestine Action described itself as a "direct-action network of groups and individuals" targeting firms doing business with the Israeli military.

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