A flotilla bound for Gaza carrying a 40-strong fleed – including four Scottish nationals – was intercepted on Wednesday.
20:00, 02 Oct 2025Updated 23:17, 02 Oct 2025
The protest in Glasgow(Image: Daily Record)
Pro-Palestine activists have staged a protest at Glasgow Central Station after a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The demonstration is understood to have started in the city’s Mandela Place before arriving at the train station on Thursday evening. It comes as a flotilla bound for Gaza carrying a 40-strong fleed – including four Scottish nationals – was intercepted on Wednesday.
Protestors were also seen at Edinburgh Waverley Station, where a massive crowd could be seen pushing against the barrier as police and station staff fight to keep the cordon in place.
There were hundreds of protestors at Edinburgh Waverley Station
Jim Hickey, Saddaqat Khan, Margaret Pancetta and Yvonne Ridley, all travelled from Glasgow as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is trying to break Israel’s sea blockade to the war-torn region. The mission departed from Spain on August 31 and is made up of over 40 boats with an estimated 500 people onboard.
It’s understood 15 people from the group are UK citizens. The mission was scheduled to arrive in Gaza this morning.
Activist Greta Thunberg was also amongst those on board.
Police are in attendance(Image: Daily Record)
Global Sumud Flotilla said that the Israeli Navy started “illegally” intercepting their vessels last night after they ignored warnings to turn back.
Activists claim they were in international waters at the time about 70 miles off the Gaza coast.
It’s understood none of the vessels involved reached their intended destination.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood on Thursday, Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer said the Scots – including one of his constituents – had been “kidnapped by the Israeli military”.
Jim Hickey, Saddaqat Khan, Yvonne Ridley and Margaret Pancetta
He said: “They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Dozens of ships and hundreds of ordinary people doing what the world’s governments have refused to do, trying to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver life-saving food and medical supplies to starving Palestinians.
“Their boats have been attacked by drones, had chemicals dropped on them, and last night they were attacked by the Israeli navy. Not one boat made it to Gaza.”
First Minister John Swinney said he has already approached the UK Government over the incident.
He said: “This morning, I asked officials from the Scottish Government to seek an update from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which was forthcoming, and I am grateful for the information from the FCDO.
“They have informed us they have lobbied the Israeli government to respect law and to protect everyone on board’s safety, and we will keep in close contact with the UK Government regarding the wellbeing of those on the flotilla.”
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A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “We’re aware of a small number of protests currently taking place at stations across the network including Glasgow Central.
“Officers will remain highly visible throughout the evening working to keep the railway moving, and we reiterate our warning to protestors not to go on the tracks.”