Palestine group attacks another British defence facility

Police have arrested four people after a break-in at Moog Aircraft Group’s Wolverhampton factory, where the group claimed the company’s products are used on fighter jets striking Gaza.

Staffordshire Police said they were called to Valiant Way in Pendeford at 3.50am on Tuesday after reports of criminal damage. “Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage offences following an incident at an industrial unit in south Staffordshire earlier today,” a spokesperson confirmed.

“Significant damage was caused to a number of sky lights and solar panels.”

The protesters, describing themselves as members of a group called Palestinian Martyrs for Justice, forced their way through security gates before climbing onto the roof and releasing a smoke flare. Footage shared online showed the group wearing T-shirts featuring Palestinians killed in the conflict, including surgeon Adnan al-Bursch and journalist Hossam Shabat.

The group said they targeted Moog because it manufactures components for the F-35 and F-16 aircraft used by Israeli forces. In their statement, they accused the Wolverhampton site of complicity in what they described as attacks on Gaza.

Moog’s Wolverhampton facility is one of the company’s largest outside the United States, employing several hundred engineers and technicians. The site designs and supports actuation systems and hydraulic equipment for both civil and military aircraft, including Airbus airliners, Rolls-Royce engines and the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

The UK Government responded to questions over the incident by reiterating its position on arms exports:

“As set out to Parliament last September, we have suspended licences for exports of military equipment to the IDF that might be used in military operations in Gaza, based on our assessment that these could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. We have not suspended all export licences for military equipment, as some are not for use by the IDF in Gaza, including items such as trainer aircraft and components for missile defence systems, and parts for military systems that are re-exported to other countries, including NATO allies.”