Italy - August 25, 2025 Extinction Rebellion activists staged a dramatic protest at the offices of Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit in Treviso, leaving red handprints and flyers on the windows to denounce the banks’ investments in the arms industry. The flyers, pasted with water and flour, carried the message: “Chiudi il conto, apri gli occhi” (“Close your account, open your eyes”). Alongside them, red handprints and the phrase “Boycott Israel” symbolized the tens of thousands of civilian victims in Gaza. The protest aimed to draw attention to the banks’ role in financing weapons used in the ongoing conflict. Veronica from Extinction Rebellion stated: “Intesa e Unicredit contribuiscono in modo sostanziale al finanziamento di armi e alla loro esportazione: le stesse armi utilizzate dall’esercito israeliano contro i civili palestinesi. Hanno le mani sporche di sangue, e i loro clienti hanno il diritto di saperlo.” The banking sector’s involvement in arms financing through loans and underwriting has been documented over the years. Reports have highlighted substantial investments by Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit in supplying weapons to Israel. These same banks are also known for significant contributions to the fossil fuel industry. Local media report that the activists may face charges for vandalism, and potentially defamation, by Intesa Sanpaolo. Veronica responded: “A denunciarci sono gli stessi istituti che, a quasi due anni dall’inizio dello sterminio, continuano a finanziare le aziende coinvolte nell’occupazione e crimini di guerra nei territori Palestinesi.” This action is part of a broader global campaign calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and a halt to the arms race. Extinction Rebellion also expressed support for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of ships from Spain, Italy, and Tunisia aiming to break the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Veronica concluded: “Ora più che mai dobbiamo aprire gli occhi e alzare la voce contro la guerra e l’indifferenza.”