The Barclays branch in the Shawlands area of the city had its windows smashed and daubed with slogans accusing the company of supporting ‘genocide’
A group of ominous “militants” has taken credit for the Friday early raid on a bank branch in Glasgow. Pro-Palestinian rioters struck the Barclays on Kilmarnock Road in the city’s Shawlands neighbourhood, smashing windows and spray-painting messages.
Pictures display shattered windows with the words “free Palestine” and “Barclays funds genocide” smeared over the glass in red paint. The incident happened on the same day that Jews in Glasgow claimed they
The activists allegedly made contact with Palestine Action in an anonymous manner. Activists have previously targeted Barclays over claims that it invests in firms that provide Israel with weapons.
A statement provided to Palestine Action reads that “Barclays bankrolls the ongoing genocide of Palestinian people by investing in and lending money to the companies that sell weapons and military technology to Israel, including bulky investments to BAE Systems right here in Glasgow.” It alleges that Barclays invests £1 billion in “shares of companies whose weapons, components, and military technology have been used by the Israeli settler colonial state against Palestinian civilians” and attributes its “grim history” to the bank.
The statement continues, “Barclays is a legitimate target until they sever ties with these companies and stop profiting from the genocide of Palestinians.” In comparison to the agony endured by the Palestinian people, property damage is insignificant.
The warning that “actions like this one will only spread and multiply” is part of the statement. According to Palestine Action, the perpetrators were “acting in line with our goals”. The final slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is usually interpreted as a demand to remove Israel—the only Jewish state in the world—from the map.
Members of Glasgow Friends of Israel informed the Scottish Express that many members of the Jewish community were “afraid” to travel into Glasgow after learning about the incident this morning. There will be a police presence at a gathering in the city centre on Sunday because of concerns about security.
“We were called around 6.50am on Friday, 1 March, to a report of vandalism at a premises on Kilmarnock Road in Glasgow,” a Police Scotland spokesman stated. The investigations are still in their early stages. Barclays has been contacted for an elaboration.
Leave a Reply