UK: Barclays bank branches forced to shut by anti-Israel protesters

The usual hypocrisy - no protesting against Saudi Arabia, Quatar and other such like "democracies"...

Jewish Chronicle

Anti-Israel activists forced the temporary closure of a number of branches of Barclays bank on Saturday.

Protesters demonstrated in the banks, including a central London flagship branch, displaying banners stating “stop arming Israel”. Barclays is understood to have investments in leading Israeli military firm Elbit which builds drones used by the IDF over Gaza.

The London Palestine Action group claimed responsibility for the protests and said the bank was “profiting from Israeli apartheid”. At the Piccadilly Circus branch activists held a “sit-in picnic”, leading to the early closure of the bank. Demonstrations also took place in Brighton, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle and other cities across the country. The anti-Israel group claimed 15 Barclays branches were “occupied” during the day of action.

A spokesman for Barclays said: "The protests over the weekend were against a number of things in relation to Barclays. "The well-being of our customers and colleagues is a top priority and we acted quickly to ensure their safety and security in response to the arrival of protestors in branches."