Islanders in Orkney and Shetland gathered on Saturday in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli bombardment.

People started arriving on the steps of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall at 1pm and within half an hour there were about 80. The peaceful vigil lasted for an hour and the organisers will be holding another one this Saturday, 18th from 1 to 2pm.

There were big demonstrations across Scotland, and in London 300,000 people took part peacefully. A counter demonstration by right wing demonstrators resulted in 100 arrests of the fascists.

United Nations Flags will fly at half-mast today, 13th of November to pay tribute to the 99 UNRWA colleagues who have lost their lives during the bombardment and fighting so far.

The UN rights chief Volker Türk reiterated increasingly urgent calls on Friday for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow lifesaving relief to reach Gaza, the release of all hostages taken from Israel and a “sustainable” end to the “nightmarish” situation for those trapped in the enclave.

Situation as of 7th November

Fiona Grahame