Aberdeen joins inaugural “Scotland Supports Palestine” week

This year - 2023 - marks the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, the catastrophe that saw more than 700,000 Palestinians driven from their homes and homeland by Zionist militias during the establishment of the state of Israel. The Nakba didn’t end there, however, as evidenced by the ongoing persecution, killing and collective punishment of those in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 

SPSC Aberdeen participated in the first Scotland Supports Palestine initiative by co-organising two events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba.  

For the first, we were joined by Israeli anti-Zionist Ronnie Barkan, discussing the latest Israeli Government and the ways in which it lays bare the racist nature of Zionism. The discussion was wide-ranging, and we hope to have the opportunity to hold a follow-up event with Ronnie in the not-too-distant future. For info, Ronnie is a member of Boycott from Within and is also charged in Bristol with participating in Palestine Action’s campaign against arms factories helping to arm Israel. You can find out more and contribute to his legal fees here.  

Members of Aberdeen TUC, CND North East and Scottish PSC, with Ronnie Barkan (left), in front of the Spanish Civil War flag within the Trades Council building.

Our second event was in partnership with Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre, Aberdeen Trades Union Council and Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign. A combination of excellent speakers, poetry and short films highlighted impacts of the on-going Nakba in Palestine. We were delighted to have “standing room only”, with a hugely diverse crowd of young and old, men and women, of many nationlities. As well as learning about the history of injustice and apartheid in Palestine, there was a strong message from all the speakers about the strength of the on-going resistance of Palestinians, made all the stronger by international solidarity efforts like the BDS movement.  

For more information on actions you can take and how you can get involved visit SPSC Aberdeen or email Aberdeen@spsc.org.uk - find out more about Stop the JNF and Plant-a-Tree in Palestine campaigns.