A NATIONAL demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza will take place in Scotland this weekend.
The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC) has organised a rally in George Square, Glasgow on Saturday.
The demonstration will start at 12pm and will mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (also known as Anti-Racism Day), which takes place on March 21.
“The core message from our assembly and march will be that Zionism is racism, and that Israel, built on Zionist ideology, is now the most racist state on earth,” the GGEC wrote in a statement on Twitter/X.
A prayer area will be available at the assembly point for any attendee who wishes to use it.
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A separate vigil has also been organised – also in George Square – by Health Workers for Palestine, to take place an hour before the national demonstration, at 11am.
The vigil is taking place “in memory of all mothers”.
According to the UN, approximately two mothers have been killed in Gaza every day since October 7.
The national demonstration comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he had approved plans to expand Israel’s military operation into Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering.
Rafah is the southernmost city in Gaza, situated on the border with Egypt.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office said civilians would be evacuated prior to the offensive – but many have raised concerns that there is nowhere else in Gaza for civilians to go.
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Israel’s land offensive in Gaza has claimed more than 31,000 lives since October 7, when Hamas launched attacks in parts of southern Israel, killing around 1100 people and taking around 250 people hostage.
At the rally, the following blocs will be available for people to join:
- Family and accessible
- Musicians and drummers
- Healthcare workers
- Trade union bloc
- Climate bloc
- Queers for Palestine
- Friends of Al Aqsa
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