PROTESTERS have called for businesses in Cumbria to stop supplying products used in the manufacture of weapons sent to Israel for the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

Every week between 11am and noon on Saturdays protesters gather outside Kendal Town Hall.

April 27 marked six months since Maria Gardner drove her mobility scooter to the centre of the town to display the message 'Free the Palestinian Nation.' 

The Mail: The protestors with signs outside Kendal Town HallThe protestors with signs outside Kendal Town Hall (Image: Submitted)

The protesters said companies such as defence contractor BAE, which has a shipyard in Barrow, and Burneside-based James Cropper PLC, manufacture parts that go into F-35 fighter jets that are then used in Israel. 

BAE confirmed that it is a partner in aerospace company Lockheed Martin's global F-35 programme, which includes Israel. 

Technical Fibre Products, a subsidiary of James Cropper, produces advanced materials which play a key role in pilot protection for the F-35. 

Israeli forces moved into Gaza after a Hamas attack on October 7 in which 1,200 people died and 250 were abducted, of which Hamas is believed to still be holding around 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others after many of the rest were released during a ceasefire in November.

The Mail: The protestors accuse two companies with stakes in Cumbria supplying parts that go into F-35s sent to IsraelThe protestors accuse two companies with stakes in Cumbria supplying parts that go into F-35s sent to Israel (Image: Submitted)

The war has killed over 34,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. 

Spokesperson Phillip Gilligan said: "Our own government does nothing to limit its arms trade with Israel. [It] continues to grant export licences to firms like BAE Systems and James Cropper subsidiary Technical Fibre Products specifically to supply materials and components used in the manufacture of F35s.

"We shall continue to say loudly and clearly that ‘It is long past time when the UK government and others should have ended their complicity in Israel’s despicable actions.’”

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “The ongoing violence in the Middle East is having a devastating impact on civilians in the region and we hope the parties involved find a way to end the violence as soon as possible.

“We respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully.

“We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment.”

James Cropper PLC was approached for comment.

According to the Technical Fibre Products website, it is a 'leading global manufacturer' of wet-laid nonwovens, which are used in the aerospace and defence industries.