According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Barclays is “complicit” in Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s civilian population because it holds £1.6 billion worth of shares in, and provides £3 billion of loans to, military companies that make technology used in Israel’s Gaza operations.
Defence companies in which Barclays is claimed to be a shareholder include BAE Systems, the UK manufacturer, Ultra Electronics and Qinetiq, US contractors Boeing, Caterpillar and General Dynamics, and some Israeli contractors.
Barclays has lent or underwritten financing for Boeing, Caterpillar, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Raytheon and QinetiQ, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign claims.
BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are involved in the production of the F-35, which has been used in the Gaza conflict, while Caterpillar makes D9 bulldozers used by the Israeli military.
General Dynamics manufactures the Namer armoured vehicle for Israel, while Boeing makes the Apache attack helicopter and Hellfire missile.
However, it is Barclay’s ties to Elbit Systems, the Israeli defence company, that cause the most controversy. The company, listed in Tel Aviv and New York, is a constant focus for pro-Palestinian campaigners. According to activists, it manufactures weapons that have been used in historic bombardments against the Gaza Strip.
Barclays claims protesters have fundamentally misunderstood its business, and rebuts the claims.
Greater Manchester Police were contacted for comment.