Protesters Disrupt Steel Plant Over Exports to Israel, Raising Genocide Allegations

Protesters from the Illawarra community in Australia have disrupted operations at the Bisalloy Steel plant in Wollongong, which supplies armoured steel to Israeli arms company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The protest, led by Palestinian woman Safaa Rayan, has been ongoing since Sunday night, with up to 100 protesters blocking the main gates of the plant. The protesters believe Bisalloy's steel trade with Israel is aiding the Israeli Defence Force, making the company complicit in the killing of civilians in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

• The protest at Bisalloy Steel in Wollongong is part of a larger movement against the company's exports to Israel, with protesters arguing that it aids the Israeli Defence Force and contributes to the killing of civilians in Gaza.
• Bisalloy Steel has previously supplied Israeli arms company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with armoured steel plates suitable for armour applications.
• The company's exports to Israel account for between 0.6 and 1.9 percent of its revenue over the past three years.
• Protesters are demanding that the company cease trade with Israel and have blocked the main gates of the plant, disrupting operations for at least 24 hours.
• The protest comes amid deteriorating conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, with major aid agencies sounding the alarm and prompting Israel to provide aid.
• The Israeli government has been facing genocide allegations brought by South Africa in the International Court of Justice, but has strongly denied its actions in Gaza were genocidal.

Statistics:

• The protest at Bisalloy Steel has involved up to 100 protesters since Sunday night.
• The company's exports to Israel account for between 0.6 and 1.9 percent of its revenue over the past three years.
• The protesters have been successful in disrupting operations at the plant for at least 24 hours.

Sources:

• ABC
• Financial journalist Stephen Mayne
• The Australian