PRO-PALESTINE protesters shut down defence company Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory in the early hours of Wednesday (28 JAN) over its ties to Israel. Over 100 people gathered at the gates of the factory in Crewe Toll, holding placards opposing Leonardo’s F-35 fighter jet contract. Protesters also expressed their support for the Palestinian cause, with one placard reading “Stop Arming Genocide”. Leonardo supplies the precision targeting system laser for the Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft, which the latter then sells on to Israel. “Meanwhile, Leonardo UK receives subsidies from the Scottish Government despite its complicity in the occupation of Palestine.”A Leonardo spokesperson said: “Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel.