Police in Greater Manchester launched an investigation after Palestine Action activists targeted a building that also housed the BNY Mellon bank, The Daily Mail reported.
A video posted by the group on social media showed five masked men taking metal tools to the glass doors and smashing them. Another man can be seen dousing the entrance to the red building with red and white paint.
Protesters attacked the building, accusing Barclays and BNY Mellon of “investing in Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems.” However, Elbit Systems UK has previously stated that it supplies equipment to the British Army and that any direct links with Israel are “grossly misleading.”
The incident involving the office at 3 Hardman Street appears to have taken place in the middle of the night. Palestine Action has called for the closure of Elbit Systems.
“The Manchester office both Barclays and BNY Mellon was shattered and sprayed inside out. Both banks are investors in Israel’s biggest weapons producer, Elbit Systems. We will not tolerate genocide profiteers on our streets.”
Police confirmed they received a call at around 3.30 a.m. local time reporting “criminal damage.” A Greater Manchester Police spokesman stated:
At around 3.30 a.m. this morning [May 1, 2024], we were called to reports of criminal damage at building on Hardman Street in the city centre.
This is not the first time Barclays Bank has been attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters who accuse the network of allegedly funding Israeli attacks. In January, activists met at branches all over the UK from London to Leeds, Leicester to Nottingham. In some places, security measures have been stepped up.
“Barclays Bank holds over £1 billion in shares, and provides over £3 billion in loans and underwriting to nine companies whose weapons, components, and military technology are being used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians.”
Europe’s largest Palestinian rights organisation, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), called on people to boycott Barclays Bank.
This includes General Dynamics, which produces the gun systems that arm the fighter jets used by Israel to bombard Gaza, and Elbit Systems, which produces armoured drones, munitions and artillery weapons used by the Israeli military.
