PALESTINE protesters kicked off the New Year by smashing up Israeli-linked weapons factories, with Stop the War Coalition warning the government today of a “very large riposte” against its repression.

Activists broke into a Scottish aerospace factory minutes into 2026, attacking machinery and equipment with hammers and spray-painting slogans on the walls on Thursday.

Video shared by the protesters online showed computers and manufacturing equipment being hit with large hammers by people wearing black gloves and face coverings.

Footage further showed fire extinguishers being emptied into machinery at the Bruntons Aero Products site at the Inveresk Industrial Estate in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and the phrases: “There is only one way this ends” and “Drop Leonardo” being graffitied in red paint.

A spokesperson for a so-called “autonomous group” that has claimed responsibility said that Bruntons were targeted for supplying the Italian arms giant, which itself supplies Israel with aircraft and parts.

And today, a coalition of Bristol-based solidarity groups marched from Elbit Systems UK’s factory in Filton to a local police station to hand in evidence of alleged crimes by Israel’s biggest weapons manufacturer.

The group slammed the government for “continuing to ignore the four hunger strikers incarcerated without charge or trial” as Heba Muraisi marked day 61 of her strike.

She and three other members of Palestine Action, which has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain, have continued their hunger strikes in different prisons around the country. Four others have ended their strikes, some after going to hospital.

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German told the Morning Star: “Essentially what’s happening is the government is introducing more and more repression against the Palestine movement.

“It’s not just the movement, but obviously it’s in its sights, and these people on hunger strike are being treated with the utmost disdain by the government and should immediately be released and not be put in prison without trial.

“There’s no ceasefire for the Palestinians, they are still getting killed and getting maimed… these are all continuing issues for us and in this new year the Palestine movement is going to renew its efforts of solidarity for the people of Palestine to end this repression, to end this treatment of prisoners and also to end the threats of other campaigners including some of the leaders of PSC, Stop The War and CND who are facing trials in the new year.”

A national march against the far right in London has been called by the Together Alliance on March 28.

“Expect a very large riposte to the government and its allies who are doing everything to support the state of Israel and nothing to show justice and solidarity for the Palestinians,” added Ms German.

Marking day 55 of her strike in HMP Peterborough, Teuta Hoxha, on remand for alleged criminal damage to the Filton’s Elbit Systems factory, said: “Our demands are simple, and I want it stated for the record that our collective strike should only be interpreted as a will to live, using nothing but our hunger to resist the imperial war machine. 

“We are prepared to push to the very end for these rights. Any harm we sustain lies at the door of the government.”

Kamran Ahmed today marked day 54, and Lewie Chiaramello day 40.

Bristol Families for Palestine march co-organiser said: “Our collective responsibility to respond to the demands of the hunger strikers and of Palestinians surviving genocide and occupation is immense.”

A spokesperson for the group behind the Scottish action said: “Only direct action has truly impeded the weapons companies, and those who are complicit in the genocide. 

“In 2026, we must escalate our activities to rid Scotland and England of the weapons makers, and all those who assist them. 

“Today [Thursday], is Day 1. Bruntons should drop Leonardo, or they will be targeted again.”