Arrests over Gaza protest at fighter jet-linked firm

Protesters outside a business connected to fighter jets used by the Israeli military have clashed with police, resulting in injuries and five arrests.

Police have arrested five people for protesting Israel’s war in Gaza outside the premises of an Australian firm linked to the manufacturing of fighter jets used by the IDF.

A picket at SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney’s west escalated on Friday morning when NSW Police clashed with protesters, allegedly leaving one woman with facial injuries.

The Sydney company is reportedly providing plating services for various parts used in F-35 jets, of which the Israeli military has about 40.  

Legal Observers NSW said the clashes escalated when police issued the protesters with a move-on order and were arrested for not complying with a police direction.

“People were walking on the footpath when police issued them a baseless move-on direction and then assaulted protesters when they asked for an explanation,” Legal Observers NSW spokesman Adam al-Hayek said.

NSW Police said a “scuffle” had ensued between the two groups when officers attempted to arrest protesters who were not complying with the directions.

Officers had earlier issued a move-on direction to a group of about 60 protesters before arresting a 29-year-old woman who failed to move, NSW Police said in a statement.

Three more protesters were arrested after a second move-on order, including a 35-year-old woman who suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital, the statement said.

A 24-year-old man was arrested after allegedly taking an officer’s body-worn camera.

The five arrested protesters were granted bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on July 15.

One of the arrested protesters, Rising Tide organiser Zack Schofield, said he witnessed a “sickening” police assault against one of the protesters.

Another detained protester, Maritime Union of Australia organiser Shane Reside, alleged he was targeted for arrest by police for calling out their actions.

Greens senator David Shoebridge told AAP he expected the incident to result in not only a referral to the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission but other legal action.

“When police are deployed to protect weapons companies instead of protecting the right to peaceful protest, we must ask whose interests they are really serving,” he said in a statement.

“The arrest of multiple peaceful protesters who are calling for Australia to stop arming a genocide shows how far we’ve moved from protecting peaceful dissent.”

By: Tom Wark and Farid Farid/AAP