Council building targeted with red paint for fourth time
A building belonging to Somerset Council has been covered in red paint for the fourth time this year.
The Grade II-listed County Hall has been defaced previously because protesters want Somerset Council to evict a defence firm, which protesters claim has connections to Israel, from one of its commercial buildings in Bristol.
The company said it supplies the British military but added nothing is sent to Israel from its Bristol site.
Somerset Council said it is "disappointed at further criminal damage" to its building, which has now had its windows smashed and the plaques either side of the entrance broken.
Palestine Action, which carried out the past actions, said it was behind the latest damage.
The group targeted the building in April and March this year with similar red paint protests, where arrests were later made.
It has again criticised Somerset Council over its links with Elbit Systems UK, which is a tenant of a building the council owns in Bristol.
The Aztec West 600 building makes up part of the council's commercial portfolio, and it is in the process of selling some of it off.
Elbit Systems UK is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd that is based in Israel, which Palestinian Action claims makes weapons for the country's military.
However, Elibit Systems UK has previously said it supplies the British military and nothing is sent to Israel from its Bristol site, branding any direct links with Israel as "grossly misleading".
Somerset Council had previously voted to look into ways to legally evict the tenant, or sell the building completely.
Palestinian Action claimed the council has "ignored" its democratic mandate to remove Elbit Systems UK from its premises, and now wants it to evict the firm before it sells some of its commercial portfolio at Aztec West 600.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "We are very disappointed at further criminal damage to public property which will inevitably result in additional cost to the public purse.
"This matter was recently debated at full council and we have already taken a decision to explore legal routes for eviction, or to sell the property.
"While we respect the right of individuals and groups to protest, we strongly condemn this style of protest damaging a Grade II-listed public building."
Avon and Somerset Police has issued CCTV images of people they are trying to track down in connection to the incident, which it says took place at 3.30am on Monday.
Neighbourhood Sgt Jon O’Connor said: "They are all shown carrying backpacks, wearing trousers and long-sleeved tops. We believe they are also all wearing face coverings and hats.
"We appreciate the subjects of the CCTV are not clear and shot from a distance, but we are asking members of the public to watch to contact us if they recognise any of the clothing or backpacks, or the way in which the individuals are walking."
Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
