Palestine Action protestors attack multiple Allianz locations and occupy Guildford HQ

Protest group Palestine Action has targeted 10 Allianz offices across the UK over the insurer’s alleged involvement with Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems. 

Offices in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and other cities have seen windows smashed, Palestinian flags hung and red paint sprayed across facades by the protestors.

In a statement, the group also added that it was occupying the insurer’s Guildford-based headquarters.

The vandalism coincides with the first anniversary of the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Palestine Action have said the insurer is a major financial backer of Israel’s arms and weapons industry and described Allianz as one of Elbit System’s “principle institutional shareholders”. 

Elbit Systems manufactures over 85% of Israel’s drones, including quadcopters used by the country’s military to perform targeted military operations.

The protest group added: ”These nationwide actions serve as a reminder that, throughout the past twelve months, Western capital has continued to profit from the mass murder of Palestinians.” 

An Allianz spokesperson said: “We have had disruption overnight at several of our offices. The safety and security of our colleagues is paramount and we have closed these sites today.

“Our operations and service to customers and clients are unaffected.”