11 months ago
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Police grapple with a protester on the ground outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Two people have been arrested over assaults on police at a pro-Palestinian protest outside a Labour dinner in Glasgow with Sir Keir Starmer.
Campaigners criticised the Labour Party leader, who was attending the gala fundraiser, for refusing to back a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
Protesters earlier gathered at Glasgow Central Station on Gordon Street where Sir Keir was arriving by train.
Police Scotland said there were no injuries and inquiries were continuing.
A video posted on social media showed Sir Keir being confronted by a train passenger, who asked him: "Keir, how many more children in Palestine have to die before you call for a ceasefire?"
Footage also showed the Labour Party leader arriving at the station, where a group of activists were waiting with Palestinian flags.
As Sir Keir arrived, one protester shouted: "Keir Starmer you are facilitating Israel's genocide in Gaza. Stop the massacre of over 7,000 babies."
Protesters gathered outside the hotel where Sir Keir was due to attend a fundraiser
Others shouted "war criminal" and "you should be in prison".
After Sir Keir got into a Range Rover, activists surrounded it shouting "child murderer".
The protest continued outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Congress Road, where officers had been posted since Thursday afternoon.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also came in for criticism from protesters "for supporting genocide".
Last month 10 Labour frontbenchers quit to vote for an SNP motion in the Commons backing a ceasefire, in defiance of Sir Keir's instructions.
He said he was focused on "alleviating the situation on the ground" in Gaza, not "party management", but called for Labour unity.
The Labour leader has instead backed pauses in the conflict to deliver aid.
Image source, UK Parliament
Image caption,Sir Keir Starmer suffered a major rebellion over his stance on the Israel-Gaza war
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Two people have been arrested in connection with assaulting police officers at Congress Road and inquiries are ongoing.
"There have been no reports of any injuries at either protest."
Earlier on Thursday campaigners staged a blockade at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow in opposition to its ties to Israel.
The demonstration was organised by a local group alongside Workers for a Free Palestine.
Defence factories in Dorset, Brighton and Lancashire were also blockaded by the campaign group, which is urging BAE Systems to end ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and supplies trading.
BAE said it complied with applicable defence export controls and was "horrified" by the situation in Israel and Gaza.
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