Why iconic Manchester building has been sprayed with blood-red graffiti as Israel goes ‘to war’ with Hamas

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.

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. It’s believed activists sprayed the front of the listed building with the paint early on Monday morning.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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. A shot of the building lit up at night featured in the 1951 film The Man in the White Suit, starring Alec Guinness.

IO Associated has been contacted for comment.