Manchester city centre bank taped off by police after attack

A Manchester city centre bank has had its windows smashed and been daubed in red paint after being targeted by pro-Palestine protesters. The J.P. Morgan Chase offices on St Peter's Square were taped off by police on Monday morning following the overnight vandalism.

Protest group Palestine Action took responsibility for the attack. The group posted on X: "Actionists target JP Morgan Chase’s Manchester offices, over the bank’s investments in Israel’s biggest weapons firm, Elbit Systems.

"Last month, they slashed their shareholdings in Elbit by 70% but they must expect Palestine Action until they fully divest!"

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JP Morgan Chase has been contacted for a comment.

Meanwhile a Barclays Bank in Altrincham town centre was also vandalised overnight. The George Street branch was also daubed in red paint and smashed up.

As yet no-one has taken responsibility for the incident. Palestine Action have been contacted for a comment.

Earlier this month the group targeted 20 Barclays branches, including in Bolton and Manchester city centre, in a joint action with a newly-formed climate change group called Shut The System. At the time Palestine Action said the sites had windows smashed and paint thrown at them as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel, as well as firms linked to fossil fuels.

A Barclays Bank spokesperson said: "We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies. Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

"The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations. Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

"While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property."