Glasgow arms summit targeted for Palestine protest

The DPRTE Scottish Defence Procurement & Supply Chain Summit 2026 took place on Wednesday at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel, drawing criticism from activists over its ties to arms manufacturers. Scottish Enterprise sent two representatives—Rhona Allison and Leonore Frame—to panels alongside executives from Thales, Leonardo, and BAE Systems, despite a September 2025 policy by First Minister John Swinney prohibiting public funds for companies supplying countries accused of genocide, including Israel. Between 2016 and 2020, Scottish Enterprise awarded over £10 million to arms firms, with an additional £2.7 million given to Raytheon, Thales, and Leonardo since January 2022. The summit’s partners included the UK Ministry of Defence, Thales, and BAE Systems, all of which have operations in Scotland. Protesters targeted the event, highlighting the contradiction between the government’s stated stance and ongoing collaboration with arms companies. Campaign Against Arms Trade condemned the participation, calling it a ‘political choice’ that undermined the SNP’s Human Rights Bill commitment. The group noted that Israel faces genocide allegations from organizations like Amnesty International and the International Association of Genocide Scholars, alongside ICC arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Scottish Enterprise defended its attendance, claiming it aligned with government policy, though critics argue the event contradicts the ban on funding arms firms linked to war crimes. The summit’s focus on ‘Defence as an Engine for Scottish Prosperity’ drew further scrutiny amid ongoing debates over arms exports and human rights.