Altrincham Barclays was the latest in a line of bank branches to be targeted by Palestine Action this week.

The bank branch on the high street was splattered with red paint and its entrance was smashed on Monday.

Palestine Action, a Pro-Palestinian protest organisation, took responsibility, saying Barclays Bank is an investor in the arms company Elbit Systems whose weaponry is understood to be used in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Barclays Bank said it is not an investor, providing financial services, but not providing investment to the firm. 

(Image: Neil Terry)

A Palestine Action spokesperson said: "Our actions cause economic disruption to those who make a killing out of genocide. By doing so we make deadly dealings a less attractive investment for banks who only value profit.

"All investors must understand investing in Elbit Systems comes with the additional risk of Palestine Action."

Palestinian Action's claim the conflict is a genocide is contested by the Israeli Government which says it is acting in self-defence after an attack by Hamas last year.

Previously the Pro-Palestinian protest organisation targeted around 20 bank branches, some of which were elsewhere in Greater Manchester, earlier in the month.

(Image: Neil Terry)

A Barclays Bank spokesperson said: "We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies.

"Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

"The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations.

"Decisions on the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

"While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property."

The bank branch on the high street was taped off as well as a number of other businesses including Accessorize, Clarks, Monkhouse, Monsoon, River Island and Utility.

The other businesses were able to open later in the morning but there is no information on when the bank branch will be able to open at this time.

The Messenger asked Greater Manchester Police for a comment. 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.