HUMZA Yousaf says plans for pro-Palestinian marches in London on Armistice Day should “absolutely” go ahead amid further protests this afternoon.
This weekend’s planned action follows weeks of marches that have taken place across the country as activists brandish flags and banners protesting over the Israel-Gaza war.
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The plans have caused concerns and been condemned by the UK Government, but Scotland‘s First Minister said describing them as “hate marches” is “unacceptable”.
Mr Yousaf added he was “beyond angry” at the UK Government’s response to the protests.
The march, according to organisers, would see demonstrators begin at Hyde Park in the capital before walking to the US Embassy and not walk past the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Met Police had his “absolute and total backing” to tackle criminality – following scenes of clashes with cops, allegations of hate chants and members of the public being intimidated.
Speaking to journalists in Dundee on Monday, Mr Yousaf said: “I understand (the march) is taking place after the minute silence that we will all undoubtedly observe, I hear it’s not going anywhere near Whitehall or, indeed, the Cenotaph.
“And, of course, if Armistice was about anything, my goodness, it’s about peace.”
The First Minister added: “I am beyond angry at the Home Secretary and the UK Government who seem to want to drive every issue into a culture war.
“Describing those marches as hate marches is disgraceful, unacceptable.
“Yes, in every single march, I’m afraid you’ll get one or two idiots who will do and say something that we all universally condemn.
“But to describe those hundreds of thousands in London, in cities across the UK, including here in Scotland, as full of hate or hate marches is completely unacceptable.
“Frankly, this UK Government is unfit for office and certainly the Home Secretary is unfit for office.”
It comes as dozens of demonstrators took part in a “sit-down” protest at Queen‘s Street Station in Glasgow tonight.
Activists disrupted the rush hour commute from 4.30pm and formed a circle crossed-legged on the concourse of the travel hub.
They wore face-coverings while they laying out banners and holding placards.
They clapped and chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Israel is a terrorist state.”
Around eight police officers watched on as protesters used a megaphone to shout “occupation no more” and “resistance is justified if the UK is funding genocide” as commuters tried to reach their trains.
Banners with “Stop Arming Israel” and “Ceasefire in Gaza” were displayed.
The protest was organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland who held a minute’s silence at the end of the staged event before dispersing from the station peacefully.
They said that more days of action could be arranged at short notice.
Over the weekend, the First Minister and his family were celebrating the return of his mother and father-in-law after almost a month trapped in Gaza.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla were visiting his family in the region when the October 7 attack by Hamas sparked bombing raids.
But some of their extended family, including Mr Yousaf’s wife Nadia’s elderly grandmother, brother and his young children, remain in the region.
Speaking of their return, the First Minister said he and his wife had doubted if they would ever see them again.
“It’s bittersweet,” he said.
“I spoke to my father-in-law, in particular, it was the first time I ever saw him cry.
“He was really broken by the fact that he had to say goodbye to his mother, to his son, to their grandchildren, as well – the youngest of which is only three months old.”
He added: “As a family, of course, we’re happy and relieved to see my in-laws back, but it is, as I say, bittersweet because we are still in significant distress given the family that are still there but also the whole world is in distress at the scenes we are seeing unfold in Gaza.”
The First Minister went on to say that this was a “pivotal moment for the international community”, adding: “You either support the immediate ceasefire, as the Scottish Government has been calling for for many weeks, or you’re frankly enabling the suffering of innocent men, women and children, almost 10,000 of whom have lost their lives including over 4,000 children.
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“I want Scotland to absolutely be on the right side of history, I hope that other countries will do likewise.”
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
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