Weapons trial begins in Magan-djin

One day, everyone will have always been against Israel’s genocide in Gaza – Omar El Akkad.

31 March 2025 Brisbane Magistrates Court 17 before Mr Julian NOUD, SM.

This trial focuses on Israel’s military industrial complex, specifically targeting the company Ferra Engineering in Brisbane, which produces over 100 parts for the F-35 fighter jets, including crucial weapons adapters.

We need to highlight the impact of Ferra and government actions, by blocking deliveries and disrupting operations. There is a broader movement known as A15, aiming to disruptsrael’s financial and military capabilities.

Shutdown Ferra calls for a free Palestine, linking the struggle to global anti-apartheid movements, and criticises the federal government’s support for military industries.

Shutdown Ferra also references international sanctions on Israel by countries like Denmark and Ireland, urging Australia to follow suit.

The police case

Activists entered the Ferra Engineering property at 344 New Cleveland Röad, Tinaglpa.  People have engaged in the following conduct:
Entering the property at 344 New Cleveland Road past the fenceline.
Entering the building located on the property where numerous employees of Ferra Products were located.
The sheer number of protestors (up to 30) that have entered the property en masse.
Physically holding the property fence open, preventing employees from closing the fence,
Using aggressive language with raised voices and insults directed at the employees the property; such as “blood on your hands” and personal insults.
Approaching within face-to-face proximity of the employees inside the building.
Using actual physical violence against the employees inside the building.
Approaching machinery inside the building. Removing power cords from machinery inside the building.
Shutting down and causing machinery on the property to malfunction.
Attempting to physically enter a piece of heavy machinery.
Removing and tearing up paper documents inside the building.
Throwing or applying paint to areas of the property.

It is not alleged that all the defendants personally committed all of the above acts.

The above conduct, taken together, would cause a person in the vicinity to reasonably that unlawful violence will be used to a person or property.

The Palestinians’ case

Israel has spent 18 months using these weapons to slaughter the people of including young and old, healthy and frail, civilian and combatant, and displaced people from their homes, destroying all property, and reducing Gaza to a waste dump of unexploded ordinance.

Just prior to the trial against the Ferra activists, Israel executed 15 Red Crescent paramedics & rescue workers and then buried them in a mass grave with their vehicles, including an ambulance.

The trial against the Shutdown Ferra activists

Day One was taken up with legal argument. The trial has been postponed yet again because police prosecution has failed to provide statements and police Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage. The magistrate raised questions of admissibility of evidence before the trial proper begins.

Magistrate Julian Noud will hear argument from counsel on Wednesday 2 April 2025 about the admissibility of some evidence.

The key problem with this case against the activists is that Ferra Engineering and its military customers have been openly in contempt of the International Court of Justice ruling that parties should take real steps to prevent genocide in Gaza. Ferra Engineering is supplying parts for the F-35 Fighters that has been dropping bombs on Palestinians in Gaza. This is what the activists have to say:

Outside the courtroom one of the defendants, Margaret Pestorius, challenged police and Ferra Engineering staff, accusing them of complicity in the genocide. Senior Ferra staff made no reply to this accusation, save to smirk and to say that they are witnesses in this case and should not be challenged.

Ms Pestorius is charged with unlawful assembly under section 10A of the Summary Offences Act 2005. This charge is an abuse of justice and law. Police have used this charge and others to intimidate lawful protest outside Ferra Engineering since the January 2024. Participants in this protest have been placed under bail restrictions making it difficult for them to carry on a normal life. Even though the charges were laid over 15 months ago this defendant in this matter is yet to receive a proper and clear statement of particulars of the charges that she faces.

What is wrong with entering a property where bomb components are being manufactured and used against a defenseless population?

What is wrong with saying Ferra personnel have “blood on your hands“?

What is wrong with chanting and holding up signs “CeaseFire Now!”

What is wrong with supporting the resistance to Israel that is committing war crimes against a civilian population including the murder of children?

There are two other defendants in this case who are also before magistrate Julian NOUD.

Don’t they deserve natural justice?

We should not forget that the genocide is ongoing with massacres of Palestinians occurring every day because Israel broke the ceasefire agreement.

Complicity of the weapons industry and government in genocide

Ferra Engineering makes parts for Boeing, and Boeing provides weapons to Israel.

Margaret Pestorius’s spoke at the Justice for Palestine Magan-djin rally on the eve of the weapons trial.

Australia’s Collaboration with the US on Militarism

◦  P. discusses the significant financial gains for the state government from companies involved in bombing and car crimes.
◦  criticizes Australia’s collaboration with the US on militarism, emphasizing the need for arrests for crimes against international humanitarian law and highlights the illegality of transferring weapons for genocide, a law established by national law for decades.
◦ mentions the involvement of companies like Boeing in weaponizing and committing genocide, and the need to hold these companies accountable.

Revenue Generation from Weapons Companies
◦ P. points out that the Queensland State Government is earning substantial revenues from companies like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and another unnamed company.
◦ emphasizes that the major revenue flow is driven by the weapons industry, highlighting the financial motivations behind the state’s actions.
◦ calls for the dissemination of information about these companies and their actions to raise awareness and hold them accountable.
◦ suggests that more people need to know the stories of these companies and their impact on society.

Protests and Visibility
◦ P.  talks about the importance of protests and direct actions in front of weapons companies to raise visibility and awareness.
◦  mentions weekly protests at 12 o’clock on Wednesdays to draw attention to the issues surrounding the weapons industry.
◦ expresses hope that increased visibility will lead to more people understanding the problems with the weapons industry.
◦ highlights the courage of those who participate in these protests, standing up against the weapons industry.

Supply Chain Issues and US Stockpiling

◦ P. discusses the complications in the supply chain due to the US stockpiling large amounts of weapons.
◦  explains that the supply chain is organized for capitalism, not for realistic use, leading to difficulties in quick replacement.
◦ mentions that the US has planned or could afford to stockpile more weapons than necessary, complicating the supply chain.
◦  suggests that rebuilding the supply chain is necessary to address these issues, emphasizing the need for realistic organization.

The trial continues on Wednesday 2 April 2025, tomorrow.

Ian Curr
31 March 2025