PALESTINE Action campaigners broke into and shut down production at a Southampton weapons factory this morning that they say is supplying arms being used in Gaza by Israel.

The activists occupied the roof of the factory, which belongs to Leonardo, one of the world’s largest arms manufacturers.

Palestine Action said the firm’s British factory “is likely being used by Israeli forces to target mainly civilian Palestinians in the current attack on Gaza” as it holds at least four export licences to Israel for target acquisition, weapon control and countermeasure systems.

The Italian firm supplies “Aermacchi M-346 aircraft and components for its Apache attack helicopters,” having recently merged with Israeli defence company RADA Electronic Industries, a spokesman added.

It came two days after Palestine Action occupied and dismantled another Leonardo factory in Edinburgh.

The group also occupied the company’s London head office on November 2 — the 106^th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.

A Palestine Action statement said: “Operating with the Israeli weapons firm under a ‘One Company’ branding model, the company is deeply complicit with Israel’s war crimes.

“The same is true of its British offshoot Leonardo UK, which applied for 26 arms export licenses to Israel between 2008 and 2021.

“Activists are now in prime position and have begun dismantling the building.

“The activists intend to sustain their occupation of the arms factory … for as long as possible to maximise disruption to the deadly arms industry which supplies Israel.”

Activists have been intensifying their campaign against Britain’s complicity in Israeli war crimes.

Eight Palestine Action members, including the movement’s co-founders, Huda Ammori and Richard Barnard, are on trial at Snaresbook Crown Court following a series of occupations at munitions sites.

Leonardo UK has been contacted for comment.