Firefighters rage at police request to crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters

Firefighters were urged to reject pleas from police to help remove pro-Palestinian protesters after rescue services provided a crane to arrest people on the roof of a military drone factory.

The statement, by the Firefighters Union, was made in response to Tuesday’s protest at UAV Tactical Systems headquarters in Leicester. The protest started at 5.30 am on Thursday after a van crashed into the gates of the premises.

A number of protesters then climbed onto the van and then onto the roof of the building, prompting police to ask fire and rescue services to use a lift on the back of a fire engine to help remove them. Firefighters and a fire engine were seen at the scene helping to remove the protesters.

Police said six people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Officers also made a similar request in 2021 at a similar protest at the same location. The FBU said that during this protest firefighters attended but refused to provide assistance.

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In a statement on Wednesday, the FBU said it was clear the role of firefighters was humanitarian and should not be involved in law enforcement activities.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said there was no justification for such a request and advised his members to reject it. He said: “Firefighters should refuse to participate in law enforcement activities alongside the police. We support the rights of the protesters and the call for peace and justice for Gaza.”

Kasey LeGall, an FBU representative in Leicestershire, said: “The Fire Brigades Union has a long and proud history of standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine. This solidarity extends to all those who are currently protesting for a ceasefire and an end to the supply of arms to Israel.”

UAV Tactical Systems supplies drones to the British and Israeli militaries. It is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, a military and defense technology contractor based in Israel.

Elbit Systems UK, which owns UAV Tactical Systems, has previously denied sending weapons to Israel: “To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or the Israeli Ministry of Defence. Any claim to the contrary is completely false.”

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