Thousands attend pro-Palestine demonstration in Edinburgh

The protest was organised by Scottish Friends of Palestine and the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee.

Thousands have attended a pro-Palestine demonstration organised by Scottish Friends of Palestine and the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee in Edinburgh.

The silent march planned to commemorate all civilians killed, comes ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel.

Organisers called for a ceasefire and for the UK and Scottish governments to impose sanctions on Israel after a recent Oxfam report said 11,000 children have been killed in Gaza - more than any conflict in 18 years, based on UN data.

Activists showed support for one million people who fled southern Lebanon following an Israeli invasion and air strikes, according to Oxfam statistics.

Former first minister Humza Yousaf attended the rally.

Top news stories today

• Kingpin snared by pal's brothel bender
• NC500 tourists in horror campervan crash
• Ex-hoods swap criminal past to give back
• Scuba diver's Orkney death 'preventable'

Gerry Coutts, 60, a teacher from Glasgow, helped to organise the protest for Scottish Friends of Palestine and said he had never seen as many families attending as in the past year.

Mr Coutts said: "The number of children killed has been higher than any conflict in two decades according to Oxfam, with 6,000 women and 11,000 children killed in Gaza by the Israel Defence Force (IDF).

"Gaza is around the same size as the greater Glasgow area. The report doesn't mention the number of children who have lost a limb, but about 25,000 children have been orphaned or lost a parent.

"The worrying thing is that the pattern the Israeli military has used in Gaza is now unfolding in Lebanon.

"Many of the civilians are Syrian refugees and Palestinian refugees born in Lebanon who do not have citizenship. Palestinians are not even second-class citizens, they do not have citizenship anywhere.

"Statistically, homes in Gaza are being bombed every four hours on average, tents are being bombed every 17 hours on average, schools and hospitals bombed every four days on average, and aid distribution points targeted.

"It is not a normal conflict. We don't teach that there were 'two sides' to apartheid - we look at international law. With apartheid, we didn't want the destruction of white people - we wanted a just society, for everybody."

He said younger people were increasingly turning out to demonstrate.

Mr Coutts said: "I think young people are saying to their parents 'I want to go' - that's been a new thing this year. You can see children are being bombed.

"Social media has changed it a lot - it's the first time we've seen a genocide livestreamed. We are seeing it carried out by a sophisticated military with sophisticated weapons, and livestreamed.

"Even Bush and Regan, when Israel stepped over the line, stopped them - the same with the UK. Not any more.

"We all condemn all attacks on civilians."

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Maree Shepherd, of Show Israel the Red Card, called for the country to be "suspended from world forums" including world sport, and for hostages to be released.

Co-organiser David Myles, from Scottish Friends of Palestine, said: "Political leaders cannot claim to be working towards peace while they arm Israel, accused by the International Court of Justice of plausible genocide.

"Pro-Palestinian protests have continued to grow and show no sign of slowing down, because governments are out of step with the demands of the public.

"While we call for a ceasefire, governments have responded with increased funding and support for Israel and its military action. This must stop."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.