SCOTLAND Stands Against Genocide
Over 200 days have passed since Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza began. Over 75 years have passed since Israel started its settler colonial project on Palestinian land. We have been on the streets demonstrating for an end to the genocide, the occupation, apartheid, and for a free Palestine. We have written to our MPs and MSPs. We have signed petitions. We have attended meetings. We have engaged with panel discussions, events, and other solidarity gatherings. We have used every avenue available to us in Scotland. Yet, the genocide continues, and every day we see the new worst thing we’ve ever seen. We receive condolences and empty outrage/condemnations from people in positions of power, and yet the sale of weapons and arms that enable this genocide continue. We are here because we’ve had enough. We will not be complicit in genocide. We are here with demands. We are here in solidarity with Gaza, and we will continue the fight for a free Palestine.
OUR DEMANDS
ARMS EMBARGO
We demand that the Scottish Government apply pressure on the UK government to enact an embargo on all Israeli arm sales. We request transparency regarding profits made by the UK government on arm export to Israel since October 7th. Since 2015, the UK government has granted 1250 export licenses for military goods to Israel valued at £489m.
OUR DEMANDS
DIVESTMENT
We demand for divestment of local pensions funds' holding in Israeli companies and complicit companies. For example, Lockheed Martin is the biggest investment of the Lothian Pension fund with £96m in holdings as of January 2024.
OUR DEMANDS
RECOGNITION
We demand for a statement to be issued recognising the Genocide of Palestinians by Israel. Although the Scottish Government has called for a ceasefire, this is not enough, we ask that they recognise that Israel is a settler colonial project enacting a genocide on the Palestinian people.
Our demands
ACADEMIC DIVESTMENT
We demand that the Scottish Government pushes for financial divestment and academic boycott from local Universities. As of January 2024, the University of Edinburgh invested up to £59m in companies complicit in ethnic cleansing such as BlackRock and Amazon.
OUR DEMANDS
RIGHT TO PROTEST
We demand that the Scottish Government reaffirms the right to protest and reduce policing, silencing and suppression of activists for Palestine.
Our demands
Anti-Boycott Bill
We demand that the Scottish Government acknowledge that the Anti-Boycott Bill will infringe upon Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Action. We demand that the Scottish Government act to protect its residents from this resolution if it is implemented.
Our demands
Permanent Ceaserfire & Free Palestine
We demand that the Scottish Government applies added pressure on the UK government to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, sanctions on Israel for expanding Settlements in the West bank, and an end to the occupation of Palestine.