Barclays has branches all over the country damaged by pro-Palestinian activists

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Branches of Barclays bank in England and Scotland were vandalized by a campaign group called Palestine Action.

A total of 15 sites had windows smashed and paint thrown as part of a protest calling for the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel as well as fossil fuel firms.

Palestine Action said branches in Moorgate, Palace Street, Richmond, Croydon, Wellington Road and Peckham in London were targeted, along with Barclays banks in Glasgow, Exeter, Sheffield, Brighton, Northampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Solihull and Preston, Bury and Stockport. as well as an office in Edinburgh.

Activists smashed windows, sprayed red paint and stenciled the exterior of buildings.

Palestine Action said that in Edinburgh, stones were thrown through windows with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict written on them.

The vandalism was a joint action with a newly formed climate change group called Shut The System.

The City of London Police said three men were arrested in connection with the damage to the building in Moorgate.

Palestine Action and Shut The System accused Barclays of having financial interests in selling arms to Israel and financing fossil fuel companies.

The groups said “radical direct action tactics” such as these would continue until Barclays stopped investing in certain companies.

A Barclays spokesman said: “We provide vital financial services to public companies in the US, UK and Europe that supply defense products to NATO and its allies.

“Barclays does not invest directly in these companies

“The defense sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK Government has been clear that supporting defense companies is compatible with ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.

“Decisions regarding the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the responsibility of the respective elected governments.

“While we support the right to protest, we ask that activists do so in a way that respects our customers, colleagues and property.”