Protesters block BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow<br /><br />Campaigners have staged a blockade at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow in opposition to its ties to Israel.<br /><br />The protest at the entrances to the defence firm's site in Govan has been organised by a local group alongside Workers for a Free Palestine.<br /><br />The campaign group said it had also blockaded defence factories in Bournemouth, Brighton and Lancashire.<br /><br />It is urging BAE Systems to end ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading.<br /><br />Protesters with Palestinian flags also said they wanted the UK Government to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.<br /><br />BAE Systems said it respects "everyone's right to protest peacefully".<br /><br />The activists blocked one entrance to the BAE site with a large banner stating "Stop Arming Israel".<br /><br />Police Scotland officers were in attendance at the demonstration.<br /><br />Protester Bint Sanna, who did not want to give her real name, told BBC Scotland News the group wanted to "put a stop to UK government support for Israel".<br /><br />She added: "They are supporting them to commit genocide to kill thousands of innocent children, thousands of innocent women and men and destroying homes."<br /><br />Another campaigner, Hex, said he travelled from Edinburgh to attend after a call to action from Palestinian trade unions.<br /><br />He said: "While we can shut down this door and we can prevent the factory from running for a day, it's really the guys in there that have the real power."<br /><br />Protester Oli said the group was not targeting yard workers with the action.<br /><br />He added: "We're here to blame the managers who decide to produce and sell arms to Israel."<br /><br />Campaigners blocked several entrances to the Govan shipyard<br />The Glasgow protest was part of co-ordinated action to blockade four arms factories around the UK.<br /><br />The biggest was at Eaton Mission Systems in Wimborne near Bournemouth where around 600 people took part.<br /><br />A BAE Systems spokesperson said: "We're horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it's having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.<br /><br />"We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment."<br /><br />Earlier this week BAE systems announced that it was creating 300 new jobs in Glasgow for the construction of new warships.<br /><br />The manufacturer already employs more than 3,200 workers at its Glasgow sites at Govan and Scotstoun.<br /><br />
