Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley has welcomed the decision to drop Lockheed Martin – a major supplier of military hardware to Israel – as one of the sponsors of this year’s Bray Air Display.
Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, said:
“In response to mounting public pressure, the organisers of the air show have done the right thing by dropping this company – which supplies Israel with military equipment including fighter jets and Apache helicopters – as one of the event’s sponsors.
“With more than 54,000 Palestinians slaughtered by Israel since this conflict began, it is unconscionable that Bray Air Display – which brings so many families together every summer – should have any association with a company that directly profits from the genocide taking place in Gaza.
“It has also emerged that the financial contribution from Lockheed Martin to the Bray Air Display was only €5,000 – a small price to pay for attempting to whitewash their links to Israel’s murderous regime.
“As a neutral country, we should never offer public relations platforms to major weapons manufacturers – particularly ones that are actively profiteering from Israel’s war crimes. At a time when many communities across Ireland are standing up for human rights, we must ensure that public events do not become vehicles for the silent endorsement of companies that are complicit in genocide.
“I am pleased that following my representations, Wicklow County Council, to their credit, engaged with the organisers of the air show, which has now resulted in this very positive outcome.
“The decision to drop this company from the list of sponsors is more than just a symbolic gesture. While it sends a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Gaza, it will hopefully encourage the government to take real action against Israel.”
June 9, 2025