Thousands boycott Barclays bank over 'Israel genocide complicity'

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Thousands of people have vowed to cancel bank accounts, and to never bank with Barclays again, according to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. They claim that Barclays are 'complicit with Israeli genocide and apartheid'.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has said how more than 1,500 people will be collectively closing their Barclays account today, with thousands more pledging never to bank with Barclays again. They are condemning the bank for holding financial ties with arms companies who supply Israel with weapons.

In January, pro-Palestine protesters organised events at Barclays locations around the UK demanding they end their support for Israel. In research conducted by PSC, alongside War on Want and the Campaign Against Arms Trade, they outline:

"Barclays Bank, one of the UK’s largest high street banks, has substantial shareholdings and provides loans and financial services to at least nine companies, including Elbit Systems, known to be producing weapons and military technology sold to Israel and used in violence against Palestinians."

In October 2023, a bank account held by Barclays was frozen by Israel, along with the support of British police, as it was being used publicly by Hamas "for the purpose of depositing donation funds", Israeli police said.

Ben Jamal, PSC Director, says that "nobody with a conscience could now bank at Barclays", and likened this boycott to that of one in the 1970s and 80s when many stopped banking with the UK bank because of their links to the South African apartheid.

Jamal continued: "More than 1,500 people are closing their Barclays accounts en masse today, in a clear message that there can be no business as usual during a genocide. More than 27,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been killed by Israel in what the International Court of Justice has accepted is a plausible case of genocide.

And to its eternal shame, Barclays is complicit. We forced Barclays to stop supporting apartheid before, and we’ll force it to stop supporting genocide and apartheid now."

Today's action against Barclays is part of an ongoing campaign against the high street bank, with a 'Day of Action' planned for 10 February, which will see events carried out by the PSC nationwide, some of which are to be held at Barclays branches.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he believes his nation will deliver a "total victory" within months as he rejected Hamas's proposed ceasefire terms. Qatar had previously criticised Netanyahu for his ceasefire efforts. On Tuesday, the UK sent Lord Ahmed, Minister of State for the Middle East to the UAE to assist with ceasefire negotiations.

Barclays have been approached for comment.