A group of pro-Palestinian activists are expected to appear in court after holding a demonstration on the roof of a Melbourne factory.
Eight activists aged between 26 and 62 were arrested on Monday afternoon, hours after climbing to the roof of an aircraft manufacturing facility in Bayswater, east of the city, at around 6am.
The group claimed that the company manufactured parts for fighter jets used by the Israel Defense Forces.
Eight activists aged between 26 and 62 were arrested on Monday afternoon, hours after climbing to the roof of an aircraft manufacturing facility in Bayswater, in the east of the city, at around 6am.
“We are protesting against the fact that Australia is exporting weapons and weapons components to Israel, and Israel is committing genocide as we speak on the radio now,” Alliance of Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities spokesperson Gaye Demanuele told 3AW.
“We believe the people of Australia should know exactly where weapons are made and where they are shipped.”
Protesters refused to come down from the roof for several hours before speaking to police late Monday afternoon and saying they were ready to get off, Victoria Police allege.
Officers arranged for a crane to lower them safely and no one was injured.
All eight were subsequently arrested, including six women from Melbourne, a man from Melbourne and a woman from New South Wales.
All protesters were charged with trespassing, causing criminal damage and dressing up with unlawful intent, police said.
Police officers were forced to use a crane to remove protesters from the factory roof.
The group were granted bail at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on July 11.
Intergenerational conflicts in the Middle East between Palestinians and Israelis escalated on October 7 when Islamist militants linked to Hamas attacked southern Israel from Gaza.
More than 1,200 people were killed and up to 200 others were taken hostage, according to the United Nations.
Israel’s subsequent military action has led to the deaths of more than 29,000 people in Gaza, with the UN citing unconfirmed data provided by the local health ministry and the Gaza Government Media Office.