James Cropper plc Accused of Genocide at Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Palestine solidarity activists from Kendal, Lancaster, and Carlisle protested at yesterday's Annual General Meeting of James Cropper plc in Burneside (3^rd September 2025). They called on the company to end its contract to supply materials used to make Israel's war planes, which are being used in the genocide against the people of Palestine. 

18 activists who hold shares in the company attended the meeting, to ask questions of the Croppers board and management, while dozens more activists protested outside.

Activist shareholders began asking questions which highlighted the fact that James Cropper's "Advanced Materials" division makes technical fibre products which are used in F-35 warplanes, including those used by Israel against the civilian population in Gaza. They highlighted the humanitarian tragedy which results from Israel’s use of F-35s, and asked questions regarding the legal and financial risks posed to the company by being complicit in genocide, and about the need to diversify production.

Reverend Lynn Treneary, from Heysham, read a statement received from a family in Gaza entitled A Message from Gaza’s Children to the Owners and Executives of James Cropper, which emphasised that to them the sound of F-35s means nothing but death and destruction.

Fiona Goldie, from Carlisle, reminded the meeting that, during the past 12 months when Croppers has continued to provide material for Israel’s F-35s, the situation in Gaza has become ever more catastrophic, and that even today Israel was attacking Gaza City with F-35s. She asked whether the Croppers Board is still happy that they have enabled this.

Amy Hield, from Mealbank, Kendal, expressed fears for the future of Croppers as an important local employer, when its reputation is being undermined by increasing public awareness of the company’s role in supplying material for Israel’s war planes. Commenting on the board’s responses, she later said, “The chair and CEO suggested that Croppers is not thriving financially and that the military sales are what is keeping the company afloat. Obviously, we want to see Croppers thrive as a local industry and understand that diversification is necessary for success. However the choice of diversification into materials for war planes is high risk for the company and its employees. It exposes the company and its employees, both to loss of reputation and a risk of litigation. The Cropper’s board needs to acknowledge these risks and plan a transition towards a company whose employees can feel proud to work for”.

After five questions had been asked, the board prevented other shareholders from asking questions. In response, some left their questions in writing with the chair and left the meeting, while shareholder David Heller began to recite Mordechai Vanunu’s poem, I’m Your Spy. When he refused to stop, he was carried out of the building by security personnel.

Some activist shareholders remained in the meeting. Subsequently Sue Houseman, a 55 year old mother and former teaching assistant from Lancaster was stopped by Croppers’ CEO, David Stirling, from continuing with a statement about a family in Gaza, 55 members of whom were killed in an attack by an Israeli F-35 whilst they slept. She was forcibly removed from the meeting by security personnel.  She had brought photographs of children and said, “They were sleeping, they were civilians, they were loved. Now, like those of many in Palestine, their bodies remain in the rubble. Croppers have said today that their profits and shareholder returns are more important to them than upholding international humanitarian law. Over the last 20 months a classroom of children has been slaughtered every single day. Shame on Croppers and shame on all those who profit from genocide.”

James Cropper plc has been under pressure from Palestine solidarity activists for 18 months, after it was revealed that the company supplies parts for Israel's F-35 warplanes. Campaigners outside held banners and flags, and gave leaflets to shareholders entering the meeting, raising concerns about the company's role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The majority of shares in the company are still held by the extended Cropper family, while the "Liontrust" fund management company holds approximately 15% of the total shares.

Campaigners are now planning further actions to highlight Croppers’ involvement with the F-35, including a walk from Kendal to Burneside on Saturday 18^th October 2025.