Anti-Israel protests at UK train stations as passengers 'barred from platforms'

Hundreds of activists have gathered inside major train stations to protest against Israel's interception of a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

Protestors were pictured gathered at Edinburgh Waverley and in Glasgow as activists targeted the UK railway network in response to Israel detaining activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Several protests were organised to take place at stations across UK railway network on Thursday evening following the Israeli military's boarding of the flotilla and detention of its members while it was in international waters in the early hours of this morning.

An eyewitness in Edinburgh told the The Herald: "British Transport Police were quickly overwhelmed and struggled as the crowds blocked off the station's main platforms.

"Commuters trying to get through had to grab the attention of police officers who would push the crowd to allow a thin path."

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Meanwhile in Glasgow more than 100 people turned out to a protest at Nelson Mandela Place on Thursday afternoon, organised by Mothers Against Genocide Scotland.

People across the world have taken to the streets in response, including in Italy, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico, reports Sky News.

Protesters banged pots and pans while chanting "intercept our fleet, we take the streets". Among those detained by Israel were four Scottish activists: Jim Hickey, Sid Khan, Margaret Pacetta and Yvonne Ridley.

The pro-Palestinian Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats and is attempting to bring humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza. Israeli naval forces have stopped many boats carrying aid this morning.

Greta Thunberg is one of the detained activists, who was seen sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers in a video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters. The flotilla contains around 500 people, including politicians, activists and lawyers. Other notable figures on the flotilla include Nelson Mandela's grandson, Zwelivelile Mandela.

Pro-Palestine activist group Global Movement to Gaza UK has announced a planned demonstration this evening in Parliament Square, with demands to end the siege on Gaza, release the “flotilla hostages”, end arms sales to Israel and “decolonise Palestine”. They have also organised a protest in Bristol and and placed a nationwide callout to take "to the streets for Gaza".

In Belfast, a protest was held this morning by BDS Belfast, as activists blocked a major road holding Palestine flags, as reported by Irish News.

The Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are very concerned about the situation with the Sumud flotilla, we are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved."