‘We are getting organised to shut down the war machine’

Join the demonstrations outside the arms factories on Tuesday 17 June

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has organised protests to shut down arms factories on Tuesday 17 June.

It’s a crucial escalation, combining the energy of the mass movements over Palestine with militant action.

Palestinian author Ghada Karmi told Socialist Worker, “We as Palestinians and our supporters must welcome all moves like this. “The reason is that they’re getting at the very heart of the problem.

“What we actually need for Gaza is to stop the enablers. That’s the first and most urgent priority.”

“The central part of that aim is of course the arms trade.”

Ghada said that the campaign is “properly focused and potentially a very effective action”.

“This expands, and is indeed inspired by Palestine Action—those brave young people have succeeded in drawing bigger groups into this,” she said.

“This campaign is a very welcome extension of this. The more mainstream a movement we have against arming Israel, the better. That is the most effective method in this phase of struggle.”

Drawing workers into this action is essential.

Lynne Hubbard is a health worker and Unison union member. She said her union branch has passed a motion to “officially support taking workers to the arms factory protest” at Lockheed Martin in Havant near Portsmouth.

“Health workers are so committed to helping others that they are prepared to sacrifice their lives to continue to deliver healthcare,” Lynne told Socialist Worker.

“People are taking the day off work, and others who have flexible working will be joining us too.

“We will be laying flowers at the arms factory, and leaving a card.”

Lynne said it’s a “small act”, but she hopes it will appeal to those workers in the arms factories. “They can ask themselves, what might they be able to do to show their solidarity?” she said. “No worker wants to produce things that kill other people.”

• Join the protests on Tuesday 17 June. Go to tinyurl.com/PSCarm