Pro-Palestine activists arrested after rooftop standoff
Pro-Palestine activists are expected to front court after staging a demonstration on the roof of a Melbourne factory.
IAF jets
Eight activists aged between 26 and 62 were arrested on Monday afternoon, hours after allegedly climbing onto the roof of an aircraft manufacturing facility on the Mountain Highway at Bayswater in the city’s east about 6am.
The group claimed the business manufactured parts for fighter jets the Israel Defence Forces used.
“We’re protesting against the fact that Australia exports weapons and weapons components to Israel, and Israel is committing genocide as we speak now on the radio,” Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance spokeswoman Gaye Demanuele told 3AW.
“We believe that people of Australia should know exactly where weapons are being manufactured and where they’re being sent to.”
The protesters refused to come down from the roof for a number of hours before speaking with police late on Monday afternoon and saying they were ready to get off, Victoria Police allege.
Officers organised a cherry picker to bring them down safely and no one was injured.
They later arrested the eight people, including six Melbourne women, one Melbourne man and one NSW woman.
The protesters were all charged with trespassing, causing criminal damage and being disguised with unlawful intent, police said.
The group was granted bail to front Ringwood Magistrates Court on July 11.
Intergenerational conflicts in the Middle East region involving Palestinians and Israelis escalated on October 7 when Islamist militants linked to Hamas attacked southern Israel from Gaza.
More than 1200 people died and up to another 200 were taken hostage, according to the United Nations.
Israel’s subsequent military action has resulted in the deaths of more than 29,000 people in Gaza, with the UN citing unconfirmed data provided by the local ministry of health and Gaza Government Media Office.
AAP
Such idiots. What more can you say.