Forged Solutions, Sheffield called out for complicity in Genocide.

There was an amazing protest outside the Forged Soloutions factory in Sheffield today. I will be uploading videos gradually as they are produced, so do keep coming back to this page for more.

On the gate the manager left a note to us saying, “Concerned local residents have made the company aware of poster and letterbox campaigns which state that “Forged Solutions is making parts for F-35 jets in Sheffield.” This is not true. We do not make parts for F-35 jts in Sheffield. Items manufactured are clearly listed on our website.”

Hilary from Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign responded to this.

Musheir El-Farra began the rally by playing a message from Gazan fisherwoman Madleen.

Jenny Patient explained why Forged Solutions had been targetted.

Cllr Alexi Dimond spoke for the Green Party

Annie O’Gara explained how Civil Servants who are uncomfortable with their complicity in Genocide have been told to consider to resign.

Tadhamon Singers sang three songs with words written especially for the occasion. “Forged Solutions, how do you sleep at night?”

Tom Kay from “We Demand Change” examined the interconnections of the struggle and the threat from the far -right.

George Arthur spoke for Barnsley Trade Council and gave a mention to XR.

Mohammed Yaqoob Ashraf from Rotherham spelled out the atrocious conditions in Gaza and how many of our politicians are complicit in this.

Clive Dixon from Coventry PSC compared the costs of F-35’s with hospitals. Quite ironic when F-35’s have been responsible for destroying hospitals in Gaza. “This is the defining issue of our time: Palestine. This is our Vietnam. This is our South Africa. Where you stand on Palestine determines where you stand on humanity. (Yes Yes) You here today have decided where you stand. You’re on the side of humanity.”

Jonny spoke about Small Park Big Run next weekend and how one of our guests will no long er be present as she was detained and prevented from travelling by Israel.

Jenny Lynn brought solidarity from Halifax and there was a big cheer for the Celtic football shirt!

Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign issued this press release.

Huge demonstration closes down Sheffield armaments factory.

Over 800 people packed the access road to Forged Solution’s factory on Meadowhall Road, demanding “Stop Arming Israel” and “Forge Solutions for Peace, Not Genocide”. The factory was all boarded up, barbed wire across the gates, and not a soul in site apart from hired-in security!

Forged Solutions makes parts for the F 35 fighter jet that is killing people daily in Gaza. Our Government has refused to ban sales of parts for the F35, and also continues to export weapons to Israel at a higher rate than the previous government. Hils Smith speaking on behalf of the organisers of the protest, the “Sheffield Palestine Campaign Against Israeli Apartheid” and the “Sheffield Stop Arming Israel Group” said:

“it [Forged Solutions] has a licence to produce and export F35 components, that is absolutely clear government information provided to the Campaign Against the Arms Trade under a Freedom of Information request. Currently it is exhibiting at the Paris airshow, one of the biggest arms fairs, weapons shows, in the world, certainly in Europe. If Forged Solutions say that information from CAAT is inaccurate, then why haven’t they written to CAAT telling them that its inaccurate and threatening to sue them if they don’t remove it? They haven’t done either of those things. So Forged Solutions is complicit in the F 35 programme causing devastation in Gaza.”

The political leadership in Sheffield and South Yorkshire has attached great importance to Sheffield building up an export-led armaments production industry as the way in which they want to “rebuild” Sheffield industry. More weapons will be exported to the Middle East and other crisis areas by BAE Systems, Forge Masters, and Forged Solutions among others. All supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the University of Sheffield.

Many people in Sheffield are questioning whether this is how we want the City to develop. For example Sheffield Trades Union Council issued a statement in support of the protest today which included:

“We are here to demand an end to UK complicity in the Israeli state’s genocide against the Palestinian people, through the UK manufacturing sector and through the actions of the UK government. 

“We want to make clear however that our demands and our protest is directed squarely at Forged Solutions and the UK Labour government, and not at the workers at this factory, or their jobs and livelihoods. ….. Sheffield TUC is also proud to support Unite the Union’s Save Our Steel campaign, and we believe that it is crucial that sites like Forged Solutions stay open to ensure that we defend and expand high-skilled manufacturing to ensure that we have the capacity to rebuild our hospitals, schools, transport sector and infrastructure. We need the skilled workforce at sites like Forged Solutions to help build a sustainable future based on social welfare and not profit, genocide and war.” 

This protest was one of three organised yesterday across the country by Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The others were outside Lockheed Martin at Havant in Hampshire, BAE Systems at Rochester in Kent. There will be more protests against weapons factories contributing to the genocide. For example:

• outside Elbit drone engine factory at Shenstone on Friday 27th June
• a march on Teledyne in Shipley on Wednesday 2nd July
• a demonstration at BAE Systems at Samlesbury in Lancashire on Saturday 5th July