A Barclays bank branch in London has been targeted by pro-Palestine activists as police were alerted about criminal damage.
The branch, located in Croydon, was vandalised before its glass windows were shattered.
An investigation is ongoing after the Metropolitan Police were called.
Graffiti left on the building labelled the bank as “baby killers”.
The branch, located in Croydon, was vandalised before its glass windows were shattered
PALESTINE ACTION
A message said: “Baby Killers stop arming Israel. Free Palestine. Stop funding genocide.”
Other messages encouraged Barclays to “stop funding Elbit”, adding: “Free Palestine.”
However, Barclays has previously tried to set the record straight about its involvement with Elbit.
The bank said: “Barclays is not an investor in Elbit Systems.
“The allegations that Barclays is in an investor in the defence industry may stem from our historic ownership of a business formerly called BGI (Barclays Global Investors), an asset management division which did have significant investment positions in defence companies.
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An investigation is ongoing after the Metropolitan Police were called
PALESTINE ACTION
“Barclays sold this company in 2009, and has no on-going interest, financial or otherwise, in BGI.”
In a clip posted to social media, security alarms were also heard sounding in the background.
Police imposed a cordon around the commercial property located on Croydon high street.
However, those responsible fled the scene by the time officers had arrived.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Thursday 18 April at approximately 1.45am police received a call to attend North End, Croydon after a report of criminal damage after a pro-Palestine slogan had been sprayed onto the front of a building.
Barclays in Croydon before it was targeted
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“Officers attended but those responsible had left the scene.
“There has been no arrest and an investigation is ongoing.
“We will not tolerate people causing criminal damage to buildings under the guise of protest.”
Pro-Palestine activists separately dumped Barclays over its alleged involvement in funding Elbit.
More than 1,500 people closed their accounts in protest against the bank’s “bankrolling of Israel, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has said.
