A group called Palestine Action says it has occupied part of Israeli-owned Elbit Systems subsidiary UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester.
The facility builds unmanned aerial vehicles that the protesters allege have been used in recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
They said they chained the gates shut and disrupted production
A quantity of red paint was sprayed on at least one of the walls of the factory in Meridian Business Park.
In a statement, Palestine Action said:
“Today’s action shows that it is entirely within our power to stop the production of brutal machinery which is fuelling war crimes in Palestine. The past week has shown the relentless death and destruction that Israeli forces can and will inflict with UK-made munitions and military technology.”
Leicestershire Police confirmed officers were called at 05:32 BST.
A spokesman said:
“Police remain at the scene and are attempting to engage with those on the roof.” By the afternoon, the protesters were still in place and police said officers continued “facilitating a peaceful protest on the ground outside”.
‘Right to protest’
A spokesman for the Leicestershire Fire Brigades Union said:
“The Fire Brigades Union were made aware that the protesters were representing the Palestinian solidarity group Palestine Action. Union officials immediately reminded senior managers that as firefighters, we are, and remain, a proud humanitarian service and our role does not involve law enforcement. Once the safety of those involved had been confirmed, Fire Brigades Union members withdrew from the incident.”
Leicestershire brigade chair Graham Vaux added:
“The Fire Brigades Union stand in support of Palestinian solidarity and the right to protest.”