Five activists are potentially facing jail after blockading an Israeli arms factory in the English West Midlands earlier this year, forcing it to close for two days.
The UK activists are accused of breaching the Trade Union and Labor Relations Act.
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They face at least six months in jail and a fine of up to £5,000 (US$6,400).
The men were arrested in July after protesting outside the UAV Engines Ltd plant in Shenstone. The firm is a subsidiary of Israeli drone manufacturer Elbit Systems.
Palestine Action, the group behind the protest, said all of the accused would plead not guilty.
“[The protesters] believe that the factory is complicit in illegal activity and that they were preventing a crime,” the group’s Birmingham and Manchester branches said in a statement.
The protesters say they oppose the UK “colluding” in Israel’s “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. They want the West Midlands plant closed down for good.
Speaking after a similar protest in 2015, which also forced the plant to shut down for two days, Palestine Action spokeswoman Elly Hassan told the Birmingham Mail: “Not only has the UK government done nothing to stop Israel massacring Palestinians, it actually provides Israel with enormous diplomatic, financial and military support.
“We believe that by allowing this factory to manufacture and sell parts for drones – which we know are going to Israel – the UK government is colluding in Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza and beyond.”
A lawyer for the protesters said “the lawfulness of [Elbit and UAV Engine’s] activity in its factory” would be discussed during the case.
Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) called on the UK government to halt the sale of arms to Israel.
“For decades now the UK has provided extensive political and military support for the Israeli military. The toll of the occupation has been devastating for Palestinian people and arms dealers have profited from that pain every step of the way,” he told RT.
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In August 2014, Israel launched its most destructive military operation against the Palestinians in Gaza, known as Operation Protective Edge.
Up to 2,205 Palestinians were killed and more than 400,000 were displaced.
Since the Gaza bombardment in 2014, the UK has licensed £140 million worth of arms to Israel.
“It has been three years since Operation Protective Edge saw thousands killed, and yet the arms sales have continued,” said Smith.
“If the UK government really wants to act in the interest of those in Gaza and the West Bank then it must end the arms sales and push for a just and peaceful solution.”
Elbit produces a variety of military equipment, including drones, aircraft, weapons control systems and artillery.
The Haifa-based company’s customers include the Israeli army, the US Air Force, the British Royal Air Force and the French Defense Ministry.
European banks and financial institutions boycotted the company on several occasions for its provision of arms to the Israeli army.
Via RT. This piece was reprinted by RINF Alternative News with permission or license.