FIVE people have been arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters scaled up part of the Scottish Parliament building and unfurled a banner.
The group had attached a Palestinian flag to the awning above the main entrance, along with a banner reading “stop arming Israel”.
As reporters shouted questions, one member, who all have their faces covered, said: “We’re here to put pressure on the Scottish Government to take action against arms exports to Israel.”
The group also said they are not part of an organisation.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman announced after the protesters had been on the roof for several hours: “Five people have been arrested following protest activity on a roof area of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh which took place on Thursday, November 9, 2023.”
A month of relentless bombardment in Gaza since the Hamas attack has killed more than 10,500 Palestinians – two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
More than 2300 are believed to have been buried by strikes that in some cases have demolished entire city blocks.
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Protesters have gained access to the roof and unfurled a banner. Police Scotland are in attendance. There is no disruption to parliament business and public access to the building is unaffected.”
