Palestine Action vandals smash windows at Burnley Barclays

The branch of Barclays, in St James's Street, Burnley, was hit by the group protesting against the bank's links to defence companies, some of which supply Israel with arms.

Windows at the bank were smashed and red paint - supposed to symbolise bloodshed - was sprayed across the branch.

A message on Barclays' website says the branch is "temporarily closed due to vandalism".

It is the latest action by the group, after 20 branches were defaced and vandalised in one night in June.

Vandals smashed windows at the Burnley Barclays (Image: Neil Terry)

The group said its protest is over Barclays' "investment" in firm Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit.

Barclays has repeatedly stated it is not an investor or shareholder in the company but provides financial services to companies and trades shares on their behalf when instructed.

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A Palestine Action spokesperson said: "Palestine Action will continue to make investing in Israel's biggest weapons producer an unattractive investment.

“As Barclays reduce Palestinian lives to profits on their balance sheet, it's important they understand the cost associated with funding genocide."

A Barclays statement on the issue said: “It is not true that we have made a decision to invest in Elbit.

Palestine Action took credit for the vandalism (Image: Neil Terry)

"We may hold shares in relation to client-driven transactions, which is why we appear on the share register, but we are not investors.

“Barclays also has policies on a range of issues including climate change, human rights and the defence and security sector.

“We consult widely on these issues and our approach is then captured in our policies and we use these policies to evaluate clients and transactions.

“We recognise the profound human suffering caused by the Palestinian conflict.

“This is an exceptionally complex and long-running conflict, and we urge governments and the international community to work together to find a lasting, peaceful solution.”

Vandals from the group smashed windows at the branch (Image: Neil Terry Photography)

Barclays added: " We provide a range of financial services to clients in the defence sector.

"Our clients in this sector include US, UK and European companies which supply defence products to NATO and its allies.

"These companies are an important contributor to our security in a time of increasing uncertainty. They provide equipment to a wide range of countries including the UK and other European NATO members, and more recently Ukraine.

"We don’t think that taking away financial support for our clients in the defence sector is the right thing to do."

According to Palestine Action, targeted action will continue until Barclays stops "investing" in certain companies.

The latest action by the group follows the October 7 terrorist attack when Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, triggering a conflict between the group and Israel.

Palestinian Health Authorities have said that more than 39,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, mainly civilians including thousands of children.