ACTIVISTS calling for a ceasefire in Palestine will gather in Glasgow on Christmas Day.
The action has been organised by Art Workers for Palestine, the group who have arranged several demonstrations across Glasgow in recent months.
Participants are invited to "gather for Palestine" at the flagpole in Queen's Park from 11am to 1pm.
Announcing the action, the group said: "Christmas is cancelled in Bethlehem, a city Glasgow has been twinned with since 2007.
"Join us in grief, community, and solidarity as we remember the true spirit of Christmas and work together for the freedom of our Palestinian siblings, including children and families, as they continue to live through violence and genocide with no safe place to go."
The group said there will be crafts and singing at the park, as well as some readings, as done at previous demonstrations. Participants are invited to share their own words.
Scottish singer/songwriter Amira Al Shanti will lead the crowd in a rendition of her song “O Little Town of Beit Lahem”.
There will also be moments of reflection to open and close the event.
The song Shanti has penned, O Little Town of Bethlehem, will be sang. The lyrics are below.
Your face is full of sorrow
Your candles are out,
they won’t be seen
On Christmas Day tomorrow
And does the world no longer hear you
When you tell of your people’s plight
They listen only to fairylights
But not poor Jerusalem
Not little Bethlehem
Not to Nazareth
Nor Gaza
The group have also joined others to call on Glasgow City Council to fly the Palestinian flag to show “unity” with its twin city of Bethlehem.
They said: "We call on our city to fly the Palestinian flag and to use their power to stand up for people in Palestine this Christmas time and beyond."
Various groups, including the Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, penned an open letter to the council calling for a show of further support.
It reads: “In the lead up to Christmas, we are reminded of the story of the nativity. A child born under occupation and a family seeking refuge in the town of Bethlehem in Palestine.
“As Bethlehem is twinned with Glasgow, we believe that this places particular responsibility on our city to take every step it can to signify solidarity with Palestinians.
“Due to the intense Israeli attacks on Gaza this year, Palestinian Christian leaders have cancelled their regular Christmas celebrations.”
The letter adds a quote from Reverend Munther Isaac, who previously said: “It’s impossible to celebrate while our people in Gaza are going through a genocide, when children are being massacred in such a brutal manner.”
