PRO-PALESTINE activists in Scotland have taken part in UK-wide action targeting 10 offices of Allianz, the world's largest insurance firm, to protest alleged links with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
Palestine Action smashed windows, sprayed red paint and wrote "Allianz Drop Elbit" on the outside of a building which holds the firm's Glasgow office on Waterloo Street.
It is understood the attack took place overnight, with security reporting the incident on Tuesday morning. The Glasgow building is not owned by Allianz, but is operated by Savills.
The group stated on social media that it has "occupied" the UK HQ in Guildford, London. Buildings in Birmingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Belfast and Lancaster were also targeted.
BREAKING: Palestine Action target 10 offices owned by Allianz, investors and insurers of Israel’s biggest weapons firm, Elbit Systems. Without insurance, Elbit couldn’t operate in Britain. Nine actions occurred overnight and the company’s Guildford HQ remains occupied! pic.twitter.com/Ul53sg5tkQ
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) October 8, 2024
Announcing the protest, Palestine Action said: "One year on from the start of the genocide in Gaza, these nationwide actions serves as a reminder that, throughout the past twelve months, Western capital has continued to profit from the mass murder of Palestinians.
"Allianz' profit books, its returns on its investments, have been bolstered by the hundreds of military technologies which Elbit provides in service of genocide."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4.20am on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024, officers received a report of vandalism to a building on Waterloo Street, Glasgow.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”