Pro-Palestine activists smashed windows at a financial services company in Glasgow over their alleged links to Israel.
Campaigners targeted the office for Allianz insurance firm on Waterloo Street, smashing windows and spraying red paint across the walls. ‘Drop Elbit’ was also scrawled on the walls, in protest against the company’s alleged links to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
Police were called to the disturbance on Tuesday morning. The area has been taped off and a patrol car remains outside.
Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the attack claiming they also targeted ten other Allianz’ premises overnight across the UK.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: “Palestine Action’s campaign to remove Israel’s weapons trade from Britain will continue to use the necessary means, direct action, against Elbit and the companies that aid, abet, and profit from the slaughter of Palestinians.
“As Allianz prioritises the value of profits over the lives of Palestinians, we will ensure they lose more than they gain by working with the Israeli weapons maker. ”
The action campaign against Allianz launched in October – which coincided with the first anniversary of the start of the Gaza war – when Palestine Action visited ten branches, covering them in graffiti, and symbolic blood-red paint, in addition to occupying their offices in Guildford.
The group targeted the same building in Glasgow on October 8, 2024.
The most recent attack comes after electronics manufacturer Kelvinside Electronics was targeted on Thursday, January 23 for allegedly supplying services to arms manufacturers.
Members of Palestine Action targeted Glasgow’s Kelvinside Electronics at around 2.10am, spraying the interior with red paint and leaving signs that read: “Drop Leonardo Contract” and “Don’t Profit from Genocide”.
A spokesperson for the activists said: “After a 15-month war of extermination on the people of Gaza, we welcome the news of a ceasefire with cautious hope, but not complacency.
“Israel has repeatedly violated the terms of the ceasefire, it continues to bomb Lebanon, Syria and Yemen and only days after the agreement has killed at least ten and injured 70 in airstrikes on Jenin in the Occupied West Bank.
“Extremist settler organisations are planning land grabs in North Gaza and South Lebanon; we fear we are witnessing the next phase of a genocidal logic.
“Just as Israeli oppression is not going to end with this ceasefire, we will not stop taking action to disrupt Scottish complicity in the war machine. Free Palestine.”
Allianz and Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.