Campaigners staged a protest outside a branch of a bank in Dorset that they say is ‘bankrolling’ Israel’s war with Hamas.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Dorset held a protest outside Barclays Bank on South Street in Dorchester on Saturday.

Rob Ferguson, spokesperson for the campaign, said: “The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has a national campaign on Barclays, and our protest focused on that.

"Barclays is bankrolling Israel's genocidal assault on Palestinians."

The protests were part of a national day of action in the UK, however not all of those protests were against Barclays Bank.

Research by the PSC claims that Barclays Bank holds over £1 billion in shares, and provides over £3 billion in loans and underwriting to nine companies whose weapons, components, and military technology are being used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians.

Protesting began with a five car cavalcade around Dorchester at Acland Car Park before around 40 people made their way to the bank.

When at the branch, the campaigners laid out a powerful message of children’s shoes and dolls wrapped in sheets on the floor to represent the children and babies that have died in Gaza.

Dorset Echo:

Mr Ferguson said: “It was successful. We then went inside the bank and didn’t get hostility- we just sat inside.

“Customers were still coming in, the protest wasn’t about stopping people using these services.”

The campaigners were giving voice to the issue, and were asking people to think about the bank they use. The organisations branch treasurer was also seen cutting up his Barclay’s card in protest.

Several hundred leaflets were taken by passers-by on the street, and Mr Ferguson said that he thinks the protests have put pressure onto Government’s in making a difference.  

He said: “Seventy-six per cent of the British population are in favour of a ceasefire. The support is growing and it’s like a lightning rod.

“Dorchester may not be the biggest town but in joining these huge protests across the country we’re part of this national action.

"We've had people message us from Gaza saying that the stand has restored their faith in humanity which makes the work worth it," he added. 

The campaigners are planning their next demonstration on Saturday, January 27 where they will march in Wimborne from Crown Mead Park to the Eaton Mission Systems, an arms factory that supplies weapons to Israel, according to Mr Ferguson.

Following this, the campaign will send a coach up to London to take part in a national demonstration on Saturday, February 3.