Russell Brand accuses Barclays Bank, G4S and Caterpillar of backing Israel's Gaza invasion
Comedian Russell Brand has taken his defence of Gaza to the next level, this time with a swipe at banks and big businesses he has alleged support Israel’s military, including Barclays, G4S and Caterpillar.
Speaking on the latest episode of his web show, the Trews, after last month clashing with Fox news anchor Sean Hannity on Gaza, Brand pleaded for high street brands to cease supporting Israel's invasion.
Brand said UK businesses should “withdraw their financial involvement with companies that support and facilitate the oppression of people in Gaza,” accusing those involved of “scurrilous financial duplicity”.
He went on to allege that Barclays managed “the portfolios of an Israeli defence company called Elbit, which makes the drones that bomb Gaza.”
Critisising the bank, Brand said: “The message they give us is the exact opposite of the reality, they're acting like they're part of our community but if we're aware of the reality of what they do, then we have the power to influence them.
“We know that money is behind everything, if we affect the money we can change anything.”
The comedian then directed viewers towards a petition created to pressurise businesses such as Barclays, HP, G4S, ABP and Caterpillar into reassessing their Israel dealings.
The Avaaz petition website, which already has over 1.7 million signatures, stated: “In the wake of the terrible violence unfolding in Israel-Palestine, we, citizens from around the world, are deeply concerned about your companies’ continued investment in companies and projects that finance illegal settlements and the oppressive occupation of the Palestinian people.
"You now have the opportunity to withdraw investments and respect international law. This is a chance to be on the right side of history.”
HP and Caterpillar have denied Brand's claims, with HP having said that "human rights is a core value" of its business.
Brand's claims came after Sky News and the BBC last week brushed off accusations of bias after they aired an appeal ad for the children of Gaza.