A NUMBER of pro-Palestine organisations have called on Glasgow City Council to fly the Palestinian flag to show “unity” with its twin city of Bethlehem.
It comes as officials in the Hamas-run Gaza strip have said that more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
Glasgow councillors recently voted in favour of a ceasefire while there have also been a number of pro-Palestine demonstrations across the city since the conflict started.
Various groups, including the Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, have now penned an open letter to the council calling for a show of further support.
READ MORE: Death toll in Gaza surpasses 20,000
It reads: “In the lead up to Christmas, we are reminded of the story of the nativity. A child born under occupation and a family seeking refuge in the town of Bethlehem in Palestine.
“As Bethlehem is twinned with Glasgow, we believe that this places particular responsibility on our city to take every step it can to signify solidarity with Palestinians.
“Due to the intense Israeli attacks on Gaza this year, Palestinian Christian leaders have cancelled their regular Christmas celebrations.”
The letter adds a quote from Reverend Munther Isaac, who previously said: “It’s impossible to celebrate while our people in Gaza are going through a genocide, when children are being massacred in such a brutal manner.”
Israel has carried out thousands of air strikes as well as a fierce ground offensive since Hamas militants first stormed across its border on October 7.
The letter added: “The Lutheran church has replaced their traditional nativity scene with the powerful image of a baby being swaddled in a Palestinian keffiyeh, lying in the rubble.
“The wise men and shepherds are looking on, while a light symbolises hope among the chaos and destruction.
“We have arranged a similar scene and placed this outside Glasgow City Chambers. We are echoing this gesture as an expression of solidarity with those facing unimaginable suffering.
“The cities signed an official twinning agreement in 2007 and have fostered important cultural and educational exchanges.
“During the 2014 war on Gaza, then lord provost Sadie Docherty, made the decision to fly the Palestinian flag above Glasgow City Chambers.
READ MORE: Leadership void must end for Israeli-Palestinian peace to advance
“This simple but purposeful act was an incredibly poignant moment for many and helped to express what words could not.
“While welcoming the recent vote in favour of a ceasefire by a majority of Glasgow’s councillors, we further call on our city to fly the Palestinian flag in unity with our twin city of Bethlehem, and the besieged and bereaved families of Gaza.”
The organisations to sign the letter include:
- Glasgow-Palestine Movement Assembly
- Glasgow Stop the War Coalition
- Parents for Palestine, Scotland
- Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee, Scotland
- Feminist Exchange Network, Glasgow
- Category Is Bookshop, Glasgow
- Parents For Future, Scotland
- Rumpus Room, Glasgow
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “There are many people in communities across our city who will be deeply worried about families and loved ones in Israel and Palestine and our thoughts are with everyone at this extremely difficult time.
"We condemn without equivocation all acts of terrorism and loss of life.”
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