Scottish council decision to fly Palestinian flag enrages pro-Israelis
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The resolution, proposed by independent councilors Eddie Devine and Andy Doig, calls for the flags to be flown in a gesture of solidarity with Gaza.
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A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag near the Washington Monument during a rally, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
A Scottish council that wants to display the Palestinian flag on some public buildings as a show of solidarity with Gaza has come under fire from pro-"Israel" organizations.
It follows the approval by Renfrewshire Council for the Palestinian flag to be flown from Houston Square in Johnstone, as well as from Renfrewshire House and Renfrewshire Town Hall in Paisley.
The resolution, proposed by independent councilors Eddie Devine and Andy Doig, called for the flags to be flown in an effort to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Pro-"Israel" organizations, on the other hand, expressed outrage, calling it a "dog whistle" for "racists".
A spokesperson for the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland relayed to The Sun, “However well-intentioned it may be, the message many Jews and Israelis will get is that they are not welcome."
In a similar vein, Sammy Stein of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council claimed that the Jewish community will "fear" more as a result of the flag's flying, waving the antisemitism card over and over again.
Read more: Fact check: Waving the Palestinian flag is not 'anti-Semitic', taz
"It is sad and concerning that a council has decided to take a partisan and biased position on the conflict, which has been a tragedy in the region for decades,” Stein said, adding, “By deciding to fly the Palestinian flag and adopting this one-sided position, Renfrewshire Council is sending a message that will further increase fear and concern experienced by the Jewish community."
Meanwhile, speaking to The National, Devine explained, “It was myself and another councillor, Andy Doig, who brought the motion,” noting, “Because we were sickened by seeing men, women and children blown to pieces while living in tents because their houses have been destroyed."
“Not everyone in Palestine is Hamas. It’s the ordinary Palestinian people we are supporting not any organisation like Hamas or Hezbollah... It’s nothing to do with them. It’s just that there needs to be an end to the killing of innocent men, women and children. The motion is so that ordinary Palestinians will know that people are seeing what they’ve been through.”
“It’s being taken in a way that really wasn’t meant. We’re saying stop the bombs and talk. I don’t think they get that. We just want people to realise that it’s human life that’s being destroyed.”
