Dozens of pro-Palestine activists occupied and vandalised the offices of Allianz insurers overnight, throwing red paint over walls and windows in protest at the firm’s links with Israel.

The action began on Monday evening as people around the world commemorated the horror of the Hamas attacks on Jewish communities in Israel exactly a year ago.

Palestine Action said it targeted 10 offices owned by the German financial services firm in protest at the company’s investment in Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons firm. 

In a statement, Palestine Action called for Allianz to pull out of Israel, adding: “Without insurance, Elbit couldn’t operate in Britain.”

It stated: “Palestine Action will cost more than you gain from enabling genocide. Allianz, it’s time to stop insuring and investing in Israeli weapons firm, Elbit Systems.”

Nine of the occupations ended within hours but the firm’s Guildford office remained occupied on Tuesday morning.

A number of Palestine Action supporters could be seen on the roof of the office’s lobby, spraying the walls with red paint and daubing slogans on the windows that read “drop Elbit” and “free Palestine”.

The Allianz office in Belfast was also targeted, along with properties in the City of London.