Blackburn: Pro-Palestine protesters hold rally outside bank

The branch, on Darwen Street, was closed as a small group of demonstrators held flags and placards in protest to what they say is ‘Barclays bank’s support for the Gaza genocide.’

Similar rallies were held in Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Manchester, Stockport and Rochdale today, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The group says Barclays 'provides more than £3billion in loans and underwriting to companies whose weapons, components, and military technology have been used in Israel’s armed violence against Palestinians'.

These include weapons manufacturer Raytheon, which sells products to companies all over the world, including the USA, Poland, Qatar, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, and construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, which builds diggers and bulldozers used all over the world.

One protester, named Asif Mahmud, said: "Week in week out companies that support the Israeli government's continued bombing of innocent people need to be called out.

"Peaceful protests such as these will target those who have been investing or supporting in military companies for years. 

"It was direct action like this that forced the bank to close today. These protests matter."

The Barclays branch announced it would be closed today ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ advising customers to visit an alternative branch or the Post Office.

Protesters said they had closed Barclays bank and would be back every Saturday in protest of what they say is Barclays' support of the war.

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Attendees shouted: “Shame on you Barclays bank, we’ll be back every week” and chanted “free Palestine.” It follows weeks of demonstrations by Palestine supporters calling for a cease to fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

On October 7, Hamas carried out a terrorist attack in Israel, killing hundreds of innocent civilians, injuring many hundreds more and taking hostages.

Israel has responded with heavy aerial bombardment of Gaza followed by ground forces moving in, while also blockading water, fuel and aid which it was widely criticised for.

Israel Defence Forces claim its missiles and attacks have been targeted on Hamas sites, however an estimated 13,000 innocent Palestinians, many of whom children, have been killed in the fighting, with around one million displaced.

Barclays Blackburn was closed today amid protests (Image: Newsquest)

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Following negotiations, a temporary four-day ceasefire began at 7am on Friday, local time, to allow the release of 50 Israeli hostages and around 150 Palestinians detained by Israel.

In October, Reuters reported Barclays had frozen an account in the UK linked to Hamas.

The bank account's details were published by Hamas "for the purpose of depositing donation funds", Israeli police said in a statement.

Barclays isn't the first company to be protested by Palestine demonstrations; earlier this month a rally was held outside Marks & Spencer in Blackburn, due to the shop's links to Israel, stocking Israeli products and being founded by a Jewish refugee.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands a number of restaurants in the town have also ceased selling Coca-Cola products in recent days, due to the company having a factory on Israeli-annexed land.