PRO-PALESTINE protesters have targeted Scottish Enterprise offices across the country over tax-payer-funded grants to arms firms linked to Israel.
Scottish Enterprise has given £8 million to 13 companies involved in weapons manufacturing since 2019, leading to a barrage of criticism – although the Scottish Government has always maintained that the funding doesn’t go directly to the production of munitions and insisted that the “due diligence” checks are thorough.
Earlier this year the Scottish Government confirmed there would be a review into public funding going to defence companies which supply Israel, amid concerns over serious breaches of international human rights law.
However, we revealed this weekend that Amnesty International has questioned this review, with it being conducted internally, with no independent oversight or clear timeline.
On Monday, Palestine Action Scotland and Palestine Action targeted five offices of Scottish Enterprise – in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Glenrothes, and London.
The offices had red paint thrown over them, as well as graffiti reading "free Gaza" and "defund Zionism".
"Since the Scottish Government's actions boost this genocidal industry, we have decided that all Scottish Enterprise offices will be targeted until they stop giving grants to the weapons manufacturers, Thales and Leonardo.
"We will take back via property damage every penny Scottish Enterprise uses to fund Palestinian genocide, making them think twice about writing another stimulus cheque to these companies. We will make sure this is not a friendly place for genocidal business growth. Free Palestine."
A spokesperson from Scottish Enterprise said: “Our immediate priority is to make our offices safe and secure for our colleagues and customers.
"We’ve reported these serious incidents to Police Scotland and, as previously stated, none of the projects we support involve the manufacture of munitions or weaponry.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 6.20am on Monday, 7 April, 2025, we received a report of vandalism to a premises on Greenmarket, Dundee. Enquiries are ongoing.”
They added: “Around 8.40am on Monday, 7 April, 2025, we received a report of vandalism to a premises on Haymarket Terrace in Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing."
On Glenrothes, they said: "An investigation is under way following a vandalism at business premises in Pentland Park, Glenrothes. The incident was reported to police this morning, Monday, 7 April, 2025. Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible."
And on Glasgow: “Around 2.55am on Monday, 7 April, 2025, we received a report of vandalism to a building in the Waterloo Street area of Glasgow. Enquiries are ongoing.”
