Barclays bank has recently been the target of vandalism by pro-Palestinian and climate activists who are protesting against the bank’s business dealings in Israel and its funding of industries that contribute to pollution. Around 20 branches of Barclays were vandalized, with windows smashed and red paint sprayed on the buildings, including in London. The activists are demanding that the bank divests from Israel’s weapons trade and fossil fuels. The group Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian protest group, stated that the targeted actions will continue until Barclays eliminates this financing from its business model.
In Edinburgh, rocks inscribed with the names of Palestinians killed in Gaza were thrown through the windows of a Barclays branch, according to Palestine Action. The frustration with Barclays’ slow progress towards stopping their financing of industries that contribute to climate change and conflict has led to radical direct action by groups like Shut the System and Palestine Action. Pictures posted on social media showed badly damaged Barclays branches, with the activists expressing their frustration over the bank’s lack of meaningful change in its financing practices.
Several pro-Palestinian groups have called for protests against Barclays, accusing the bank of investing billions of dollars in companies that are linked to Israel’s military. A report published by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Campaign Against Arms Trade, and War on Want alleged that Barclays had investments in companies producing weapons and military technology used in attacks on Palestinians. However, a spokesperson for Barclays clarified that the bank only provides financial services to defense companies and does not directly invest in them.
Despite supporting the right to protest, Barclays has asked that campaigners respect their customers, colleagues, and property during demonstrations. The City of London Police announced that three men were arrested in connection with criminal damage at a London branch of Barclays. The spokesperson for Barclays emphasized that decisions regarding arms embargos to other nations are the responsibility of elected governments and that supporting defense companies is essential for national security. The activists continue to demand that Barclays completely eliminate their financing of industries that contribute to conflict and environmental destruction.
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