Pro-Palestinian activists once again defaced four branches of BNP Paribas Fortis in Brussels and Ghent on Tuesday night. They accuse the major French bank of investing in Israeli arms company Elbit Systems.
The action affects the Ghent branches in Sint-Amandsberg and at the Sint-Pieters train station, as well as the Brussels branches at De Brouckère and Louise. The activists are denouncing the "hypocritical and cowardly way" in which BNP Paribas is "hiding behind hollow bureaucratic rules to unscrupulously profit from the crudest war crimes."
The activists pointed to a report by the 'Don't Buy Into Occupation' (DBIO) coalition, which they claim proves that BNP Paribas is "the largest European lender to institutions and companies active in the occupation and colonisation of Palestine."
"Such financing concerns companies involved in the demolition of Palestinian homes, the construction of illegal settlements, the illegal exploitation of Palestinian natural resources and the production of equipment meant to spy on Palestinian citizens," the activists said.
The BNP Paribas building on Avenue Louise in Brussels. Credit: The Brussels Times
The companies include Elbit Systems, by far the largest Israeli arms company. The company is a drone manufacturer and provides logistical and material support to the Israeli army. Activists say BNP Paribas lent a total of $91 million (around €82.4 million) to Elbit Systems last year and are demanding the bank's immediate divestment in the company.
In response to the action, BNP Paribas said it is "neither directly nor indirectly involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." The bank "strongly denies" the allegations made in the DBIO report and reiterated that "financing for the defence sector is subject to strict rules."
Regarding Elbit Systems, BNP Paribas says it has only invested in production and exports destined for NATO countries. Additionally, the bank said it "reserves the right to file a complaint against those responsible for these acts of vandalism."
