For an independent review of the relationship between Invest NI manufacturers and the Israeli genocide.
by Hugh Scullion, WP Mid-Ulster Rep.
October 2nd, 2025
I was one of a number of Mid-Ulster Workers Party members who attended a protest at Moyola Precision Engineering on September 28th. We were among the over 500 people who joined the Mid Ulster March Against Genocide from Magherafelt to Moyola Precision Engineering in Castledawson, protesting the 'government's funding of F-35 part factories complicit in genocide'. In December last year Invest Northern Ireland claimed they had not offered support towards any project that supply arms to Isreal, furthermore, Invest NI “assured” the Department of Economy and the economy minister that it “does not support projects that supply arms to Isreal”.
Since then, Freedom of Information Requests have revealed a very different picture. Invest NI have significant relationships with several companies making components and parts for Israeli fighter jets.
All of the components and parts made for the Israeli war machine contribute to the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, who are being starved to death, are being denied access to food, water, heat and medical assistance. Women and children are being slaughtered. Ethnic cleansing is taking place and war crimes are being committed. The Workers Party believes that Invest NI have questions to answer after freedom for information requests uncovered that Invest NI has given £19.66 million to three companies who have operations in Northern Ireland that manufacture components for F35 combat aircraft. According to the Detail Israel has used F-35 jets in its bombardment in Gaza, including dropping three 2,000 lb bombs on a “safe zone” in July 2024.
The Department for the Economy and the various Economy Ministers have previously denied any knowledge of components or parts for combat aircraft being made in Northern Ireland. The Workers Party is calling on the Minister and Invest NI to launch an independent review of their processes and protocols. Given that it took a FOIA request to get this information out, an inhouse review by Invest NI would not be appropriate. It is unconscionable that taxpayers’ money should go to manufacturers of components that assist in genocide.
Photo: Mid-Ulster IPSC