Pro-Palestinian activists ‘destroy’ Barclays branch in city center as bank responds

Pro-Palestinian activists have claimed responsibility for smashing the windows of 20 Barclays branches in the UK – including one in Birmingham. Barclays, based in Birmingham High Street, was targeted in the early hours of this morning (June 10).

The bank’s glass door was photographed completely smashed. Shards of spray-painted glass were seen scattered on the floor outside the branch.

Activists from Palestine Action and Shut the System said they were behind the vandalism. The groups said it was carried out to “demand the bank’s withdrawal from Israel’s arms and fossil fuel trade”.

Read more: Police update following Walsall crash sees man ‘seriously injured’ and woman arrested on suspicion of ‘drink or drug use’

A spokesman for Palestine Action said: “This latest action marks a significant escalation in activist tactics. Until now, most groups have relied on peaceful demonstrations and open engagement with staff and managers.

“Now this has proven futile, with groups like Palestine Action and Shut the System escalating the issues.” Barclays said it provides “vital financial services” to US, UK and European firms that supply defense products to NATO and its allies, but that it “does not invest directly in these companies”.

The bank said it supported the “right to protest” but urged campaigners today to “do so in a place that respects our customers, colleagues and property”. Rocks, inscribed with the names of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Gaza war, were thrown through the windows of a Barclays branch in Edinburgh, activists claimed today.

“Palestine Action aims to stop the Palestinian genocide by undermining the weapons suppliers to the Israeli military, including Elbit Systems, along with the financial companies involved with these weapons suppliers,” Palestine Action added. “Shut the System targets the banks and insurance companies that enable fossil fuel expansion.

“Both groups have adopted radical direct action tactics that include sabotaging key infrastructure to physically prevent continued support for destructive and lethal business operations. Collaboration between groups is designed to maximize efficiency”.

One campaigner, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed: “Barclays is funding the crises of climate collapse and genocide in Palestine. Decades of polite campaigning, petitioning, letter writing and lobbying MPs have failed. We will continue to escalate until Barclays pulls the trigger. eliminate and stop the financing of genocide and climate destruction”.

A Barclays spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “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 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.”