Thousands of people are expected to take part in pro-Palestine protests across Scotland on Armistice Day. 

Marches will take place in major cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen on Saturday (November 11) calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the UK commemorates an end to fighting in World War One.

It comes after a sit down protest was held in Kelvingrove Art Gallery on Friday (November 10), with campaigners calling for Palestinian liberation. 

The UK Government condemned the planned march in London, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling it "provocative and disrespectful". 

Read more: Explained: The row over pro-Palestinian protests on Armistice Day

Home Secretary Suella Braverman described those taking part as "hate marchers" and said there was an "obvious risk of serious public disorder". 

However, the Prime Minister was under pressure to sack Ms Braverman this week after she had a column published in the Times accusing the Met of bias for allowing the protests to go ahead. 

The Fareham MP was also widely criticised for comparing the protests to marches in Northern Ireland.

First Minister Humza Yousaf has said plans for the marches should go ahead, and that he was "beyond angry" at the UK Government's response. 

He added: “I am beyond angry at the Home Secretary and the UK Government who seem to want to drive every issue into a culture war. 

“Describing those marches as hate marches is disgraceful, unacceptable. If Armistice was about anything, my goodness, it’s about peace.”

Where and when are the Palestine protests in Scotland?

  • Glasgow: 1pm at Buchanan steps

  • Edinburgh: 12pm on Waverley Bridge

  • Aberdeem: 2pm at Westburn Park

  • Dundee: 2pm at Dundee City Centre

  • Dumfries: 2pm at Burns Statue

  • Forres: 2pm at High Street

Why are people protesting for Palestine?

People are marching to call for a ceasefire in Gaza after conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas. 

The fighting began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel that killed 1,400 people and took 229 as hostages. 

Since, Israel has unleashed attacks on Gaza, which have reportedly killed more than 10,000 Palestinians. 

The protests, organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, are calling for a ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed. 

Ahead of the demonstrations, SPSC chairman Gerry Coutts said: “The focus of our rally will be on people killed in wars, including both world wars, with a renewed call to end all wars.

“We will also call for an end to war crimes, including those currently being committed in occupied Palestine.

“The conflict did not start on October 7. The besieged people of Palestine have endured over seven decades of illegal occupation, violence and loss of land and rights.

“We are calling for an immediate ceasefire and with it concrete steps from the international community to bring lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

“This can only happen by respecting international law and by bringing an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.”

What has Police Scotland said about the protests?

Police Scotland issued a statement ahead of planned events over the weekend.

Assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie said: “Protests so far have been largely peaceful and groups from all perspectives have maintained good engagement with policing.

“We continue to engage with those organising demonstrations to ensure rights to peaceful assembly and protest are protected while minimising disruption to communities.

“Public safety is our priority and people may see more officers than usual in our cities and towns this weekend.

“Hate crime, violence or abuse do not represent legitimate protest and we will respond professionally to offending.”