Activists blockade James Cropper plc factory to halt production of materials for Israel's warplanes
April 29, 2026: Palestine solidarity activists today blocked the entrance to the James Cropper plc factory in Burneside, near Kendal, to highlight the company’s role in supplying materials for Israel’s warplanes used in the war on Gaza. Activists successfully prevented the morning shift change - stopping workers from driving into the factory site. They held banners which read “Make Paper Not Planes”, “ and “James Cropper: We want to be proud of our local industry“.
The group of 30 activists from Kendal, Cumbria, and across the North of England, began their blockade shortly after 5am, to disrupt the morning shift change at James Cropper Advanced Materials. The blockade continued until 9:30am.
James Cropper plc produces technical fibre products which are used in a range of military aircraft including F-35 warplanes. Over the past 2 ½ years, Israel has killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza, including at least 20,000 children. Israeli atrocities carried out using F-35 warplanes include the killing of 90 civilians in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. The planes have also been used in Israel’s bombing of countries across the Middle East, including civilian targets.
For the past 2 years, the “Paper Not Planes” campaign has been calling on the owners and bosses of James Cropper plc to protect jobs by ending their involvement in the production of materials for F-35 warplanes.
Speaking at the blockade, Sam Metcalfe, spokesperson for the campaign said: “We have blocked the entrance to the factory this morning to prevent James Cropper plc supplying materials for warplanes. We cannot stand aside while materials produced in our community are being exported for use in warplanes that carry out attacks on innocent civilians. Producing materials for military use is completely at odds with the proud history of the company making beautiful paper for artists. We believe they should protect jobs and the community by making paper, not material for warplanes.”
“Israel’s war on Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian children, women and men. The F-35 has played a central role in the war, and they have been used in the mass killings of civilians, as well as the illegal attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. Israel has ordered 27 more of these warplanes. Meanwhile, James Cropper plc has continued to export materials for the F-35 programme.”
The UK makes 15% of the F-35 warplane, with other contractors including BAESystems also facing sustained protests from pro-Palestine activists, including regular blockades of factories where parts for the F-35 are manufactured.
