A CONCERT to raise money for Palestine is set to take place in the capital this weekend.
A Night For MAP is happening at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Six musicians are set to perform – Kathryn Joseph, Jacob Alon, Alexi Murdoch with Aidan O'Rourke, Harben Kay, Dean Owens and Juliette Lemoine.
Renowned screenwriter Paul Laverty, who was previously arrested under terrorism laws for wearing a T-shirt stating: “Genocide in Palestine time to take action”, is also set to give a speech.
All proceeds from the concert will go towards Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
The British charity operates in Gaza and helps to supply much-needed medical supplies to hospitals, which have been increasingly targeted by Israel.
Organiser Douglas Robertson has been raising money for MAP for the last 16 years, but has ramped up efforts since 2023 – with Saturday's concert being the seventh he has organised in this time.
"There's a horrendous genocide and a man-made humanitarian crisis going on in Palestine," Robertson told The National.
"It's just too horrendous to even consider what those people are going through, so I absolutely had to do something."
Robertson said he was looking forward to hearing Laverty address the audience on Saturday.
Laverty was arrested and charged in Edinburgh in August under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
The T-shirt he was wearing has, in some cases, been alleged to show support for Palestine Action, a protest group proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Labour Government in July.
Last, The National told how Laverty's court date for the charge had been cancelled, with the "final decision" on the charge still pending.
"He is somebody who represents the Scottish people much better than other politicians, so he was more than welcome to speak," Robertson told The National.
He went on to say that it was important for people in the creative industries to speak out about the genocide in Gaza.
He said: "One of the reasons we always have a line-up of musicians is because not only does that give a variety to the concert, it actually gives a wider appeal to an audience.
"It's also to say that every person on this stage is on the side of Palestine, and that's a statement.
"Music unites people like nothing else. It pulls people together and makes people feel like part of a big demonstration, it makes you feel like you're not alone."
A Night For MAP is at The Queen's Hall, Clerk Street, Edinburgh, at 8pm on Saturday. Doors open from 7pm. Tickets cost £35 / £25 concession.
For more information and to get tickets, click here.
