Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for covering Twickenham Stadium in "blood red" paint yesterday (Monday 22 January).

In a statement on their website, they said: "Palestine Action have this morning covered Twickenham Stadium in blood red paint, hours before the Defence IQ's 'International Armoured Vehicles' expo was due to commence."

This is a separate group from the one which organised yesterday's protest and the petition which has reached over 1,900 signatures.

A spokesperson from The Richmond and Kingston Palestine Solidary Campaign (the organisers of yesterday's protest) told Nub News: "We are a separate group.

"We did not plan anything with them or know what they were doing."

Police were called to Twickenham stadium at 1:20am on Monday 22 January, to reports of paint being sprayed.

The police said: "It was reported that four people were seen running away from the scene.

"There have been no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing."

The paint being cleaned from the stadium. (Photo Credit: Craig Dorner).

The arms fair is taking place at Twickenham Stadium this week, between January 22 and January 25.

The statement released by Palestine Action explains that the event hosts representatives of Israel's weapons trade, including a company called Elbit Systems Ltd.

The statement says: "During the current onslaught on Gaza, which has thus far martyred over 25,000 Palestinians, Elbit Systems' CEO described the company as playing a crucial role in the genocide, which received gratitude for this by the Israeli military.

"From this country, Elbit export numerous drone technologies, surveillance and targeting systems, and other weaponry to the Zionist regime, from manufacturing sites in Shenstone, Tamworth, Kent, Bristol, and Leicester."

It adds: "Palestine Action has, for over three years, worked to prevent manufacture at these premises and to disrupt Elbit's appearances and marketing wherever possible – including at high-security weapons fairs such as this.

"Twickenham has, therefore, been covered in a blood-red reminder of the Palestinian bloodshed for which their guests of honour are responsible. "

The paint yesterday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Heather Nicholls).

A Palestine Action spokesperson said: "That Israeli arms dealers are invited as guests of honour at a time when their deadly output is on full show in the Gaza genocide should shame all people who enter this abominable event.

"After developing their weaponry in the Laboratory of Palestine, Elbit and Rafael then sell these technologies on to other regimes.

"While our governments happily turn a blind eye to this brutality, Palestine Action will continue to work to make sure that Israeli war criminals have nowhere to hide."

A spokesperson from the Rugby Football Union said: "We host many successful private events throughout the year at Twickenham Stadium. 

"As a host, we are politically neutral and our main priority is to ensure that all events are safe and secure for both clients and local residents".