Palestine Action has again taken action against Allianz offices at 42 Fountain Street, in Manchester city centre. It is over the company’s propping up of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Allianz: no rest for the wicked
Palestine Action activists left the building covered in red paint to symbolise the company’s complicity in Palestinian bloodshed:
They spray painted messages such as “Gaza” and “Drop Elbit”:
The action is the latest in a growing series of actions targeting Allianz for its ongoing financial relationship with Elbit Systems, a major Israeli arms manufacturer heavily involved in the oppression of Palestinians.
It is part of an ongoing campaign against those firms facilitating Elbit’s presence in Britain, which last week saw Allianz’ commercial offices in the City of London occupied, and a Six Nations Rugby match at Allianz-sponsored Twickenham arena disrupted by a Palestine flag affixed to a drone.
Allianz, along with Aviva (which Palestine Action has also targeted) have hit back – saying it will take out an injunction against the group.
Allianz’ provision of Employers Liability Insurance to Elbit Systems guarantees that Israel’s largest weapons firm is able to operate in Britain.
Stop funding genocide
Elbit Systems manufactures drones, missiles, and other military equipment used by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to enforce occupation policies and carry out attacks on Palestinian civilians. ‘Elbit Systems UK’ exports weaponry in massive volume from its British subsidiaries to Israel: of the £11m in export licenses granted for arms shipments to Israel by Keir Starmer, Elbit has been the largest beneficiary.
“Elbit Systems is a key player in Israel’s apartheid regime, and Allianz continues to profit from the violence and injustice faced by the Palestinian people,” said a spokesperson for Palestine Action:
Without insurance from Allianz, Elbit would be unable to operate in the Britain – from which it manufactures deadly weapons for export to Israel, and sells to Britain those weapons it has “battle tested” on Palestinians.”
We are calling on Allianz to sever all ties with Elbit Systems and cease insuring companies that contribute to the destruction of Palestinian lives and land. This is a call for justice and accountability.
Allianz has previously been described as Elbit’s “principle institutional shareholder”, at one point owning over 2% of the company, and to-this-day continuing to hold thousands of shares in Elbit Systems Ltd. Elbit’s weapons are used in operations that violate international law, including the targeting of schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure.
Palestine Action’s campaign aims to expose and disrupt the corporate networks that sustain Israel’s military and apartheid policies. The group has pledged to continue its direct action protests, urging Allianz to end its financial support of Israeli military operations and its role in the oppression of Palestinians.
Featured image and additional images via @the_nomaad
