The chairman of the York Green Party has been found guilty of causing criminal damage after he took part in a protest.
Tom Franklin, 64, was convicted of the crime at UAV Systems last year.
Franklin, who also stood as the Green candidate for York in the 2019 General Election, was given a conditional discharge and compensation order of £241 at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court.
A York Green Party spokesperson said: “UAV Systems is part of Elbit Systems which makes drones for the Israeli army which are used to kill and maim Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
“On 4 July 2022, Franklin and four others – including his co-defendants Randeep Samra and Cat Scotherne – blocked the entrances to UAV Systems with a memorial to all those killed by weapons made by Elbit.
“The memorial comprised a lock on tube and red paint to represent the blood of those killed.
“UAV make the engines for Elbit drones.”
In court, Franklin faced charges of causing damage on the forecourt of the UAV Systems factory.
After the case, he said: “I cannot stand by and allow these murderous weapons to be made without trying to stop it.
“The damage we did was minimal as we simply sprayed red poster paint on the site. The drones kill and maim people.
“It is important that we always resist evil in any way we can. I do not apologise for closing Elbit, even if for only one day.”