‘Free Palestine’ vandals strike at Barclays banks across London and Edinburgh
Palestine Action claims responsibility as windows smashed and graffiti daubed in red paint at 11 branches of high street bank
At least ten branches of Barclays Bank were vandalised on Wednesday evening in pictures seen by Jewish News, including Edinburgh and Mayfair.
The Islington Green location in north London had its glass entrance windows smashed and its walls daubed in blood red paint, graffitied with the words ‘Free Palestine’.
An inverted red triangle, a symbol used by pro-Palestinian activists, was also painted on an external wall along with the words ‘Drop Elbit’, in reference to Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.
Other branches targetted overnight included Hammersmith in west London.
Palestine Action has claimed responsibility on social media, stating: “As long as the bank holds shares in Israel’s biggest arms firm, they should get used to being covered in the symbol of Palestinian bloodshed spilt by Elbit’s weaponry.”
As reported by Jewish News, in August Barclays reversed its plans to withdraw from Israel’s bond auctions, leading Israeli government officials to commend the major UK bank for “resisting anti-Semitic and anti-Israel pressures”.
A spokesperson from Barclays Bank told Jewish News: “Protest groups have criticised Barclays for providing financial services to defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe. They have resorted to intimidating our staff, repeated vandalism of our branches and online harassment.
“The safety of our colleagues and customers is our priority and we have additional measures in place such as increased security presence and surveillance technology.”
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