Pro-Palestinian Protesters Urge Wimbledon to Drop Barclays Over Israel Ties

Pro-Palestinian protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered at Wimbledon to urge the tournament organizers to end their sponsorship agreement with Barclays Bank due to the bank's financial ties to Israeli arms suppliers. Protesters, including Khalid Zalmay, argued that Barclays facilitates the arming of Israel amid ongoing conflict, calling for severing ties similar to actions taken against Russia. The demonstration coincided with the start of Wimbledon and highlighted the broader Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Barclays defended its partnership with Wimbledon and its business practices, stating that it provides financial services to defense companies aligned with the UK, NATO, and their allies, especially in response to rising geopolitical threats. Wimbledon did not immediately comment on the protests or the sponsorship controversy. The protests reflect the increasing scrutiny of corporate relationships amid international conflicts and calls for ethical business conduct.