An East Lancashire aerospace firm has been asked to stop supplying parts for F-35 Lightning fighters by activists.
Campaigners claim the parts produced by RLC Callender are being used by Israel in Gaza as part of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
RLC Callender, based in Metcalf Way, Altham, makes components for the advanced warplanes manufactured by US firm Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems military aircraft division at Samlesbury.
Activists from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), led by Joan West and Ken Towler, have penned a letter to the firm’s chief executive appealing for it to stop supplying the parts.
They delivered a letter by hand and email to RLC Callender in February 2024, and this week attempted to deliver a second one but said they were unable to do so.
“My plea to you arises from the information that has been supplied by CAAT: 'According to their most recent accounts with Companies House, RLC (UK) Ltd has a prominent position on military aircraft, dominated by F-35 Joint Strike Fighter titanium fuselage components and titanium fan blades'."
The letter goes on to claim "the international community has previously supported Israel’s right to defend itself", and goes on to claim "there is a growing recognition that, all along, Israel’s intentions have been far beyond self-defence".
It claims Israel's "goal has been to remove all Palestinians from their homelands in Gaza and the West Bank and to populate the land with Israelis".
The letter added: "The scale of the destruction that has been inflicted on Palestinian infrastructure has been without precedent.
“Similarly, the death toll and the suffering of the Palestinians that we have all witnessed in the media has been horrifying. We beg you to consider your position."
The letter adds they believe "Israel will not cease its... mission" unless its weapons supply is halted.
It adds: "It is within your power to... cease your involvement in this trade.”
Israel has repeatedly said its offensives are targeting Hamas terrorists, however arrest warrants for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant have been issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the offensive since October 2023.
It's estimated 57,000 people in total have died in the conflict so far, with around 80 per cent thought to be Palestinian civilians.
Hyndburn Green party vice-chair Mrs West said: “The present campaign against the Palestinians is unprecedented.
“It is heart-rending to watch it happen.
“I [would] feel ashamed that a local firm is, even if in a small way, perpetuating this [alleged] genocide.”
A spokesperson for RLC Callender said: “We have no comment to make.”
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