By IRNA,
London : A mass demonstration was being held in Brighton, southern England, Monday to mark the first anniversary of Israel’s massacres of more than 1,400 Palestinians in Gaza.
The protest, part of a series to mark the anniversary, was targeting the manufacture of weapons components at the local EDO MBM factory, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American multi-national ITT, which supplies essential parts for the Israeli air force.
“In Brighton, EDO/MBM manufacture some of the weapons components that devastated so many lives. All over the world thousands of people watched appalled at the carnage on the streets of Gaza,” said Smash EDO campaign group, organising the demonstration.
“Thousands marched and raged at the destruction of peoples homes and lives. On January 18, 2010, the anniversary of the final day of Operation Cast Lead, we will come together to remember the people of Gaza,” a Smash EDO spokesman told IRNA.
Component made include the Paveway guided bomb programme, the most used aerial weapon in attacks on Iraq. Patents are also owned for the Zero Retention Force Arming Unit and the Ejector Release Unit ERU 151, both essential for Israeli F16 bombing raids against civilians in Gaza.
Smash EDO has been campaigning to close the factory since 2004, using such diverse tactics as blockades, rooftop occupations, street theatre and hundreds of noise demos outside the factory.
During the Gaza massacres, the Green Party attempted to table a local council motion condemning the activities of EDO MBM leading to a mass petition after the motion to hold a debate was rejected.
On Saturday, a ‘die in’ was held in London’s Trafalgar Square to remember the 1,417 Palestinian men, women and children killed by “Israel’s thirst for domination” by any means, including war.
A series of demonstrations, vigils and rallies were also organised across Britain in December to mark the first anniversary of the launch of Israel’s latest blitzkrieg attacks on Gaza.