The demonstration, held on the Buchanan steps outside Buchanan Galleries, was organised by Glasgow Stop the War as an “emergency protest” in response to the interception of a yacht carrying aid to Gaza.
The group began to gather at around 5.30pm today, June 9.
The vessel, described by organisers as a “symbolic” mission, was reportedly attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies.
(Image: Newsquest)
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It was carrying 12 pro-Palestinian activists from around the world, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
In a video recorded before the yacht’s interception, activists said: “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped.”
The Glasgow protest was held in solidarity with the detained activists, with organisers urging the public to “defend the flotilla.”
Footage from the scene showed demonstrators chanting “Stop the bombing” and holding signs that read “Cut war, not welfare.”
(Image: Newsquest)
The protest takes place amid intensifying global scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began nearly 20 months ago following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, in which approximately 1200 people were killed and 251 hostages taken.
In the months since, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that more than 54,880 people have been killed during the ongoing Israeli campaign.
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The activists aboard the intercepted yacht included nationals from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the vessel had been seized and was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel.”
The Glasgow protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations held across the UK and beyond, as calls grow louder for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.
