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Thousands take to streets in Edinburgh pro-Palestine protest

BBC A large protest on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh with several people marching behind a large banner. Some are waving flags of Palestine and Iran. One person has a blue and white Scottish flag.BBC
Protesters marched through the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday

Thousands of Pro-Palestinian protesters have marched through Edinburgh as part of a demonstration against the war in Gaza.

Activists gathered outside a UK government building for speeches demanding an end to what they described as a "genocide".

A large group gathered outside St Giles' Cathedral in the early afternoon before marching down the Royal Mile, chanting while waving flags and banners.

Other demonstrations took place in cities across the UK, including Bristol, Manchester, London and Truro - calling for the ban on Palestine Action to be reversed.

No arrests were made in relation to the march in Edinburgh.

Protesters stopped in front of the UK government headquarters at Queen Elizabeth House, where speeches were given outside the building, before heading on to Bute House - the first minister's official residence.

Mick Napier, founding member of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, said there was a large turnout in the Scottish capital because of outrage over Israel's plan for a "humanitarian city" in Rafah.

Speaking as the march set off down the Royal Mile, he told the PA news agency: "It's large, it's bigger than we've had for a very long time and it's entirely due to the building of the Israeli concentration camp in Rafah.

"They've called it a humanitarian city but people are utterly horrified, cumulatively, by what's happened during 22 months of genocide."

Protesters with Palestinian flags passing by the city chambers in Edinburgh.
Protesters marched from St Giles' Cathedral, down the Royal Mile and on to Bute House

Earlier this week, three women were arrested under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into the external fence of the Leonardo UK factory in Edinburgh.

The group Shut Down Leonardo claimed it was making components for F-35 fighter jets but the defence company said it did not directly supply equipment to Israel.

Former MP Tommy Sheppard spoke to the crowd outside Queen Elizabeth house, saying: "Today in the Middle East a genocide is being prosecuted in real time and we are watching it on television play by play."

The UK government and Israeli governments have been approached for a response. Downing Street has previously said it supports Israel's right to defend itself.