A coordinated series of vandalism incidents targeting Barclays branches in London, Bristol, and Brighton has been claimed by the pro-Palestine group Palestine Action. In total, twenty buildings were affected.
In Bristol, a city centre branch of Barclays Bank experienced significant damage, with windows smashed and red graffiti sprayed across the building. A Barclays spokesperson emphasized the bank’s support for peaceful protest but urged respect for customers, colleagues, and property.
In Edinburgh, rocks inscribed with the names of Palestinians killed in the ongoing conflict were thrown through windows. Shut the System, a newly launched underground climate movement, collaborated with Palestine Action’s underground division to carry out these attacks. Both groups have confirmed their involvement and stated that such actions will persist until Barclays ceases investments in certain companies.
Barclays has defended its financial services, highlighting its support for US, UK, and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies. The bank stressed the importance of the defence sector for national security and noted the UK government’s position that supporting defence companies aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. The decision on arms embargos, according to the bank, rests with elected governments.
