On October 7 2023, 1200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in a Hamas attack in Israel. Since then over 67,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israel, and hundreds of thousands injured. Gaza has been decimated in what is a Genocide.
Of the hostages taken on October 7 and since, 148 have been returned alive. Thousands more Palestinian hostages have been taken by Israel and remain in prison camps within its borders. It’s a horror on a scale of death, destruction, famine and obliteration being relayed in real time over social media.
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, attended a remembrance gathering on 5 October organised by the Jewish community of Edinburgh.
Swinney spoke of the trauma of the Jewish community, not only about the hostages taken on 7 October, but also the attack on the synagogue in Manchester. He also spoke of challenging the rhetoric of division and called for a lasting peace for Gaza.
The First Minister said:
“We must see an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It is the only way to stop death and displacement, violence and fear, unrest and division. Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live safely side by side, with long-lasting peace, prosperity, and security.
“Events in the Middle East cannot ever justify antisemitism, prejudice or any acts of violence. All of Scotland’s communities must feel safe and protected.
“Scotland’s diversity and our inclusive outlook is one of our greatest strengths. All of our communities are equally integral, valued and permanent parts of our national life – their members are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues.
“In remembering all those who lost their lives on 7 October and since, we do so in equal condemnation of all forms of terror and violence.”
Unfortunately some in the assembled crowd chose to boo the First Minister and ignore his pleas to end division.
Meanwhile the Genocide in Gaza continues. A Channel Four report has revealed that the value of UK arms imported by Israel has reached a record high value in 2025.
Our analysis of Israel Tax Authority customs data finds that Israel imported nearly £1 million worth of UK munitions in the first nine months of the year.
That’s more than double the amount received in any of the previous three years. Channel Four
The items are listed under the category which covers bombs, grenades, torpedoes, missiles, and ammunition. This makes the UK a complicit partner in the Gaza Genocide.
In the most recent pursuit of Peace, this one brokered through US President Donald Trump, Hamas has agreed to release the remaining hostages alive and dead.
It is hoped that some kind of peace agreement will come out of meetings taking place in Egypt. Meanwhile Israel continues to bomb Gaza. Civilians continue to be blown apart, and those not killed and injured are being starved by the famine induced through the illegal blockade of Gaza.
In the midst of Storm Amy on Saturday, Peace campaigners who managed to get to the St Magnus Cathedral steps in Orkney, continued in their calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages.
Fiona Grahame