Using a converted fire-extinguisher bearing the logo ‘Free The #Filton18’, activists sprayed blood-red paint over the front of the London office of Allianz Commercial in Gracechurch St in London early this morning. Three people climbed onto the canopy above the main entrance unfurling Palestinian flags and setting off smoke flares.
As City employees began to arrive for work, the activists used a megaphone to explain what their protest was about.
Allianz provides insurance services to Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, which builds drones and provides other parts and equipment to the IDF and other human rights violating regimes around the world. As well as carrying out direct action on multiple occasions against Elbit, the Palestine Action group have been aiming their protests at businesses which provide services to Elbit. The campaign has had notable successes, causing Barclays to divest from the arms firm, lobbyists APCO dropping them as a client, and forcing two of their UK factories to close down or repurpose.
Elbit have claimed in court proceedings that they aren’t supplying arms to Israel from the UK, but research by independent media platform Declassified recently confirmed a series of shipments from UK factories since the genocide in Gaza began.
Today’s action is part of a widespread campaign of pressure towards Allianz, including co-ordinated actions across Europe earlier this year.
The company is not new to supporting genocide. Researchers have unearthed close ties between Allianz and the Nazis, even providing fire-risk cover at concentration camps including Dachau.
Allianz isn’t the only insurer with links to the Palestinian genocide, and as reported by our Independent Media Association partners Dorset Eye, today saw the launch of a new Boycott Bloody Insurance campaign exposing the companies that invest in or underwrite businesses such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE, and of course Elbit.
After around seven hours today, police climbed up to the canopy, but the activists had D-locked themselves, preventing arrests for a further time. They were eventually freed and arrested at around 4pm after a ten-hour protest.
