Council agrees to meet pro-Palestinian campaigners

A council has pledged to meet activists who have demanded an Israeli-owned arms factory be scrutinised.

Pro-Palestinian campaigners have carried out multiple protests outside Pearson Engineering in Newcastle, which is owned by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Last month, the Labour-led council denied People Against Rafael the chance to present a petition, with more than 5,000 signatures, calling on it to enquire about the equipment made there. The business has previously said its products are not used by Israeli Defence Forces.

Irim Ali, the council's cabinet member for communities, said she would be "happy to accept" an invitation to meet with the campaigners alongside fellow councillors.

Her comments came after the local authority passed a motion urging the government to suspend all arms sales to Israel, as well as calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

"Let us not be remembered as bystanders, let us be remembered as those who spoke out, who took a stand, and demanded that the UK lives up to its highest ideals," Ali said.

"I understand the strength of feeling that exists within our communities regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and I'm committed to ensuring the voices of all our residents are heard."

The Israel-Palestine conflict escalated on 7 October 2023 when Hamas, a Palestinian armed group and political movement based in the Gaza Strip, launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Israel responded with a large military offensive in Gaza, which has killed at least 57,575 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Most of Gaza's population has been displaced. More than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed; and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said his country aimed to destroy Hamas to ensure Israel cannot be threatened in the future.

Despite pledging to meet the activists, Newcastle City Council has repeatedly said it has no power to restrict or terminate the use of the Armstrong Works site.

People Against Rafael's Don MacDonald told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the promise of a meeting was a "step forward".

"It is good that we have this now and they are prepared to meet with us, but we would like to see action being taken from that," he said.

"The council needs to be taking this up with the national government, who do have the power to act."

People Against Rafael has repeatedly protested against Pearson Engineering but is not the same group as Palestine Action (PA).

PA has also targeted the factory and has been designated as a proscribed terrorist organisation by the government.

Pearson Engineering has previously said the Israeli Defence Forces do not use any of its equipment.

The council said it had been "categorically told" no weapons produced in Newcastle had been provided to any nation involved in the Gaza conflict.

A spokesperson for Pearson Engineering said the factory manufactures equipment to move mines and explosives out of the paths of vehicles.

"Other products we design are used around the world to overcome natural and deliberately placed obstacles such as rivers and rubble," they said.

"These products have been used in conflict zones and recently deployed by Ukraine.

"We are a UK-registered company, and all our exports are wholly licensed and regulated by the UK government."

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