Meanwhile, the trial of three anti-arms trade protesters at EDO has been adjourned until July 23.

The three protesters had locked themselves to concrete barrels outside the gates of Brighton-based arms company EDO-MBM during Israel’s 34 day offensive in Lebanon, which left over one thousand dead.

The protesters’ defense team had been arguing that EDO-MBM’s trade (with the Israeli military) was illegal and that they are complicit in war crimes committed in Lebanon and Gaza last summer.

The campaigners are charged with 'preventing lawful activity'.

In a joint statement the defendants said: "Last July the Israeli bombing of Lebanon resulted in over a thousand dead, nearly a million people were displaced, and entire villages were destroyed. Still today children are being killed by cluster bombs left over from the onslaught.

"To date Israel has not had to answer for its crimes in Lebanon. We will use our time in court as an opportunity to expose EDO-MBM's illegal supply of weapons components to Israel."

Smash EDO is a campaign against the arms manufacturer and dealer EDO/MBM in Brighton. This company produces and supplies vital weapons components for the UK, US and Israeli militaries.

The campaign began in 2004 by residents of Brighton who were sickened to learn that a company in their home town was profiting from the illegal and immoral slaughter in Iraq.

The campaign has included pickets, regular noise demos, rooftop protests, blockades, marches through town and summer peace camps.

Protesters also defeated EDO when they attempted to impose an injunction in the high court, and last year EDO was forced to close ˜EDO rugged systems' (one third of their operation in Moulsecoomb.)