Pro-Palestinian activists have sprayed an iconic former newspaper headquarters with ‘blood red’ paint as Israel goes ‘to war’ with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.<br /><br />Palestine Action took responsibility for the graffiti on the Express Building in Manchester, where they say an Israel-linked recruitment firm, IO Associates, is based.<br /><br />It’s believed activists sprayed the front of the listed building with the paint early this morning (Mon).<br /><br />Writing on Instagram, the group said: “Actionists spray blood red paint over the Manchester offices of iO associates, the sole British recruiters of Israel’s biggest weapons manufacturer #ShutElbitDown.”<br /><br />The protest comes as the Israeli military prepared for a ground offensive on Gaza after Hamas militants killed scores of civilians in the south of the country over the weekend.<br /><br />It’s estimated that around 700 Israelis were killed during the attack, with more than a hundred also taken hostage and brought back to the Palestinian enclave.<br /><br />In retaliation, the Israeli military has been pounding the densely populated strip of land with munitions, which has resulted in more than 400 Palestinian deaths.<br /><br />The stunning building, in Great Ancoats Street in the city centre, was the headquarters of the Daily Express newspaper when it was built in 1939.<br /><br />With its curves, black glass, and streamlined Art-Deco facade, the Sir Owen Williams-designed building has become an iconic landmark in the city centre.<br /><br />A shot of the building lit up at night featured in the 1951 film The Man in the White Suit, starring Alec Guinness.<br /><br />IO Associated has been contacted for comment.
