CAMPAIGNERS are pressing Wimbledon to end its sponsorship deal with Barclays over its bankrolling of arms firms supplying weapons used in Israel’s assault on Palestinians.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has accused the tennis tournament’s organisers of allowing the bank to use the event “to boost its image, and hide from accountability for its role in enabling Israel’s war crimes.”
It has produced a template letter on its website for supporters to send to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, saying: “Barclays is facing growing pressure over its unethical financial ties. Continuing your partnership with Barclays is not only unethical, it could lead to severe reputational damage to Wimbledon.”
The All England Club has been approached for comment.
After festival organiser Live Nation ended its sponsorship deal with Barclays earlier this month, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hailed the move as a “huge victory” for Palestine.
Festivals including Download, Latitude and the Isle of Wight have cut ties with Barclays after major boycotts and acts pulling out because of the bank’s link with the ongoing slaughter in Gaza.