A branch of HSBC in Wokingham has been damaged after being targeted during an overnight protest linked to pro-Palestinian activism.
Several windows at the bank were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on the building, including the words “DROP ELBIT”. The damage is believed to have occurred during the early hours of the morning.
Groups across Britain conducted operations at 11 locations of Britain’s largest bank, shattering windows and dousing buildings in red paint.
A spokesperson for People Against Palestine said: “Despite divesting from Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems in 2018, HSBC has since amassed millions of dollars worth of Elbit shares right under our noses, cementing its complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and brutal occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“Banks such as HSBC invest in the production of weapons used to commit genocide as they prioritise their profits over the lives of the Palestinian people. By taking direct action and costing HSBC, we are making investing in genocide unprofitable. It’s now not only the ethical decision, but it’s also financially strategic to pull all shares out of Elbit Systems.
“Our actions were taken in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and the prisoners for Palestine hunger strikers, who are calling for Elbit to be shut down. Some are on their 41st day of hunger strike, and their resistance inspires us all to escalate our actions and to shut Elbit down.”
The message refers to Elbit Systems, a defence technology company based in Israel. HSBC previously had financial links with the firm but said in December 2018 that it had fully divested from Elbit Systems.
Activists have previously held demonstrations calling on the bank to sever ties with the company. A group calling itself People Against Genocide said it was responsible for the action in Wokingham, as well as similar incidents at HSBC branches elsewhere in the UK.
In a statement, the group said it was demanding that HSBC remove any remaining shares in Elbit Systems from its investment portfolio.
‘People Against Genocide’ released a statment which said: “Early this morning People Against Genocide targeted HSBC in Wokingham alongside branches all over the country, smashing their windows and leaving a clear message: DROP ELBIT.
“We demand that HSBC rid their portfolio of shares in Elbit Systems. Free Palestine.”
