HSBC divests from Israel's dronemaker

[Opinion. Some may call nonviolent direct action lawlessness. Others may say direct action is just vandalism and not nonviolent at all. If no one was hurt, that's nonviolence. Nonviolence works, with a little encouragement for moneybags to do the right thing.]

HSBC dumps all of its shares in Elbit Systems after direct action

The AfterShock: May 8, 2026

Latest reports show HSBC dropped all of its shareholdings in Elbit Systems. This full withdrawal of shares comes after a sustained direct action campaign against the bank by People Against Genocide.

The group first targeted the bank by damaging over 10 HSBC branches on 13th December 2025, over the banks investment in Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer. Many of those actions involved throwing red paint over the branches and shattering windows, which forced the temporary closure of many of the targeted branches.

“HSBC withdrawing all of its investments in the Israeli weapons maker Elbit Systems, shows once again, that direct action works. HSBC’s withdrawal shows that direct action works and follows many other firms also making the sensible decision to cut ties with Elbit, rather than face sustained direct action.“