Pro-Palestine activists lock themselves outside London headquarters of weapons firm Thales

Protesters have locked themselves together and set off red smoke flares after throwing paint outside the offices of a defence company in London.

Two campaigners from Palestine Action locked themselves to each other outside French weapons maker Thales’ London headquarters on Thursday morning (November 9), preventing access to the Quadrant.

The premises were drenched with red paint using repurposed fire extinguishers, which the groups said symbolises the bloodshed of the Palestinian people.

The group claims Thales works with weapons company Elbit, the largest weapons supplier to Israel.

In a statement Palestine Action said: “On the day of the international call to action under the 'Shut It Down for Palestine' banner, Palestine Action have this morning acted on that call. 

“As ever, these activists have put their liberty on the line, using direct action to respond to Palestinian pleas for the world to stop supplying arms to, and to reject complicity with, Israel's apartheid regime. The action comes at a time of increasing mobilisation globally against the companies facilitating Israel's murderous ethnic cleansing. 

“Over 10,500 Palestinians have thus far been killed by the occupation, a genocide made possible because of the deadly supply chain which aids and abets the murderers serving in Israel's military."

Palestine Action has accused the UK branch of Thales of supplying weapons to Israel.

"Thales partners with Israel's largest weapons company, Elbit Systems, under their joint venture 'UAV Tactical Systems' (U-TacS)," the group said.

“U-TacS operates from their factory in Leicester, a site which has been targeted by direct action for over two years. This site is used for the export of equipment for military drones in huge volumes to Israel.”

Israel has asserted its right to defend itself - a right supported by the UK government - and has carried out an extensive attack in Gaza, aiming to end the threat to its people from Hamas. The terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 left more than 1,400 dead and Hamas is holding hundreds of hostages.

The Hamas authorities in Gaza say more than 10,000 people have been killed in the Israeli attacks.

The Met Police said two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

In a statement the Met said: “This morning we responded to a report of criminal damage to a building in Thomas More Square, Wapping. The building is coated in red paint. 

“When officers arrived two people were laying on the ground outside the building and had attached themselves together with padlocks.”

LondonWorld has contacted Thales for comment.