What Happened: Motaz Azaiza thanked the Irish for supporting Palestine and highlighted the need to address Thales, a Belfast weapons manufacturer linked to arms used against Palestinians.
What you need to know: Motaz Azaiza expressed gratitude to the Irish people for their strong support of Palestine, but emphasized that more work is needed to end Israel’s attacks on Gaza. He specifically mentioned the weapon’s factory in Belfast, urging people not to forget it.
More: In February, pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists protested outside the Belfast facility of Thales, a weapons manufacturer with ties to Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms company known for producing the Hermes 450 drone used against Palestinians.
Also: The protesters called on Thales to stop making weapons that could be used lethally and to cut ties with Elbit Systems. Thales also produces Starstreak missiles supplied to Ukraine for use against Russia. Azaiza urged continued protest, boycott, and advocacy until Palestine is free