Organisations say Zionism is racism

Bad blood between campaigners is stoking up tension ahead of an anti-racism rally in Glasgow this weekend.

A petition mounted by Glasgow Fight Racism Fight Imperialism (FRFI) and Glasgow Palestine Human Rights campaign has been launched online to prevent the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland (COFIS) from attending Saturday’s rally at George Square.

Petitioners claim COFIS is a racist organisation as well as Glasgow Friends of Israel who will also attend.

Their petition states: “The SUTR campaign, and its supporters are for a third year allowing racist organisations such as COFIS and Glasgow Friends of Israel to participate in their annual march through Glasgow.

“We call on all anti-racists to join us again in George Square this year to stand in active opposition to SUTR’s march with racists.”

So far over 1,350 have signed the petition.

Edward Sutherland, secretary and acting convener Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland, said: “About 35 of us took part in the protest last year but when we arrived members of other groups, whose faces were covered in masks, started chanting against us.

“We were surrounded by members of FRFI and Class War Scotland. We were pushed and several anti-Semitic chants were repeated.

“It was really frightening for our members and I am concerned that someone is going to get injured this year.

“Some of the groups are boycotting the march as they believe Israel is a racist state.

“But many people in CFOIS are particularly determined and won’t be driven out their city.”

The march starts at 11am Saturday 16 March from George Square.