UK buildings attacked during historical declaration protest day

Pro-Palestinian activists made several attacks across Britain during 11/02/24 (marking 107 years since the Balfour Declaration) Two busts of Chaim Weizmann were taken from Manchester Uni and many buildings got covered in red paint

At Cambridge Uni protesters hit the Institute of Manufacturing and Senate House while in London they targeted multiple spots. The attacks focused on places with Israel connections: research centers Jewish charities and educational spots

• Paint attacks on Hampstead High Street buildings
• Damage to Jewish National Fund office in north-west London
• University buildings targeted in Manchester and Cambridge
• Protest actions at Downing Street

The group explained their actions saying: “From old times till now UK helps colonization and occupation of Palestine“ They picked this date because of its link to Arthur Balfourʼs famous letter about making “a home for Jewish people“ written back in 1917

London police started looking into these events as hate crimes. “We dont accept any hate crimes in our area“ - said Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley whoʼs checking the Hampstead High Street case. The Jewish National Fund (which gives money to help people in Israel) also got hit with red paint that same night

At the same time some Labour party members wrote to Sir Keir Starmer about their worries. They think current policies made Jews feel unsafe on UK streets. They mentioned a protest near a Jewish center in Finchley (which happened just last week) as proof of growing problems

Cambridge protesters said they did it because of the schools ties to Israel: making police training helping with military stuff and working with companies that make weapons. They want everyone to know about these connections – thats why they used red paint to show “blood on institutions hands“