Christians protest outside Twickenham Arms Fair

Christian peace campaigners were among hundreds outside Twickenham Rugby Stadium in West London on Monday, saying, 'No to the Twickenham Arms Fair'. Sponsored by, amongst others, the UK Government's Defence Equipment & Support agency and the British Army, the event was attended by a large number of arms manufacturers as well as government and military representatives from around the globe.

Pax Christi England and Wales was outside. It joined Christian CND, Kingston Peace Council, Richmond and Kingston Palestine Solidarity Campaign and local Campaign Against the Arms Trade members at the demonstration.

Its Chief Executive Andrew Jackson: "It seems disingenuous at best to express concern at Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the number of Palestinian people being killed or injured whilst at the same time promoting and permitting arms sales to Israel. Reluctant to call for a ceasefire, the UK Government is in effect complicit in the attacks on Gaza through these arms supplies. As Pope Francis said in his Christmas message, how can we even speak of peace when arms production, sale and trade are on the rise." Pax Christi England and Wales has criticised UK government for breaking international law in failing to suspend export licenses for UK arms sales to Israel.

Two days earlier, Fausta Valentine, Pat Gaffney and Sr Mary Ann Tyler of Pax Christi England and Wales also lobbied outside Twickenham Stadium. They carried the Pax Christi 'PEACE' banner.

The demonstration focused on BAE Systems, Elbit Systems and Leonardo which are involved in the supply of arms to Israel. Two weeks ago, the Vatican rejected a 1.5 million euro donation from the Italian weapons giant Leonardo to the Bambin Gesù Paediatric Hospital. According to Italian media, the hospital administrators refused the donation because it was "inappropriate in this period of wars". Though Leonardo has denied it is sending arms to Israel, Italian newspaper L'Unità has confirmed that Italian weapons, specifically through Leonardo, continue to find their way to the Israeli army in Gaza.