PALESTINE supporters have set up a protest camp next to an Israeli arms factory in Leicester and plan to “lay siege” to the building demanding its closure.

Direct action group Palestine Action is targeting the Israeli-owned Elbit UAV Tactical Systems factory as part of a long-running campaign to force Elbit out of Britain.

The company makes drones and pilotless aircraft for the Israeli military.

One Elbit factory at Oldham in Greater Manchester shut permanently last year after a campaign of occupations by Palestine Action supported by regular protests by Palestine Solidarity Campaign groups and Oldham Peace and Justice campaign.

Elbit has four other factories in Britain.

In Leicester, some protesters installed themselves in trees outside the factory.

The “siege” of the factory begins on May 1.

Palestine Action said: “From May 1, those in the camp [will be] joined by the hundreds due to attend the siege and mobilise against Elbit’s business of bloodshed.

“The mass action will include hundreds staying put for weeks on end, through day and night, refusing to leave until Elbit does.”

A spokesperson in the camp said: “We’re unreachable in the trees, and we’re here to lay the ground for the siege.

“We’re just a sign of what’s to come.”

Palestine Action said that laying siege to the factory drew a parallel with Israel’s siege of Gaza in Palestine where almost two million Palestinians, many of them victims of Israeli occupation of their land, are contained on a strip of land 25 miles long and 3.7 to 7.5 miles wide.

Elbit has previously not responded to invitations to comment.