LONDON

Pro-Palestine activists from the Palestine Action group on Tuesday targeted an Israeli-owned factory in the UK, accusing it of “aiding and abetting genocide in Gaza.”

The group, known for its direct actions against arms factories across the UK that supply military equipment to Israel, occupied the entrance of Pearson Engineering, a weapons factory in Newcastle owned by the Israeli government.

In a video shared on X, one activist was seen spraying blood-red paint onto the factory's sign, while another activist confirmed they were at Rafael’s Pearson Engineering on Armstrong Road in Newcastle.

Pearson Engineering was acquired by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael in 2022 as part of its "continued strategic investments."

The footage also showed the presence of police officers at the scene.

“This factory is owned by the Israeli state and is aiding and abetting genocide in Gaza, and we want it gone,” said the activist in the video.

Since Israel's offensive began in October 2023, the Palestinian Health Ministry has reported a death toll of more than 48,200.

A ceasefire agreement has been in effect in Gaza since Jan. 19, halting the Israeli war that caused widespread devastation across the Palestinian enclave.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.