Activists block BP headquarters in protest at gas exploration near Gaza
Activists blocked the doors to the headquarters of BP this morning to protest against gas exploration in the Palestine region.
About 70 protesters from the climate activist group Fossil Free London, blocked both entrances to BP’s office in St James Square, near Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, shouting “shame on you” as staff arrived to work.
Protesters held Palestinian flags and signs reading “stop fuelling genocide” as they chanted “profits from oil but none from aid, Gazan genocide is British made.”
Amid Israel’s bombing of Gaza that followed the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the Israeli government has reportedly granted gas exploration licences off the coast of Gaza to six companies, including BP.
According to Reuters, BP is also set to acquire 50 per cent of the Israeli Delek Group-owned energy company NewMed, who has also been granted a licence.
NewMed owns 45 per cent of Leviathan, the largest gas field in the Mediterranean, situated off the coast of Israel.
The protest today is part of a series of actions by Fossil Free London that seeks to highlight the link between the climate crisis, fossil fuel companies, and the occupation of Palestine.
Joanna Warrington from Fossil Free London said: “As Israel continues its genocide on the people of Gaza, all the bosses of BP see is a business opportunity.
“The people of Gaza are starving, are being bombed, and are deprived of fuel, but fossil fuel companies are swarming like vultures to try and poach Palestine’s natural resources, making billions in profits in the process.
“It’s a new take on the old adage, ‘when there’s blood on the streets, pump gas!’
“All the time fossil fuel companies continue to profit from human suffering, we will be here to hold them to account.
“The climate movement stands in solidarity with Palestinians, and against this opportunistic profiteering.”
BP has been approached for comment.
Pictured top: Activists block the doors to the headquarters of BP this morning (Picture: Fossil Free London)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
