A HUGE protest took place at Glasgow Central Station on Thursday evening against Israel's interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Israeli forces intercepted the roughly 40-strong fleet on Wednesday evening and detained more than 400 activists, including four Scots, prompting a series of emergency demonstrations across the country on Thursday.
There were initially dozens of protesters gathered inside Central Station. Many waved Palestine flags, with activists also chanting phrases such as "stop the genocide" and "every time the media lies, children in Gaza die".
Activists were eventually joined by a separate protest taking place on Buchanan Street Steps at the same time, bringing the total turnout well into the hundreds.
Hundreds of people are now at Glasgow Central Station to protest against the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla More protesters have arrived pic.twitter.com/cFQH6PU1Yp
— Lucy Jackson (@LucyAJackson_) October 2, 2025
It comes after more than 100 people gathered at Mandela Place earlier on Thursday to protest against Israel's interception of the flotilla, which was attempting to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Activists raised their concerns for the four Scots who took part in the historic mission - Sid Khan, Jim Hickey, Margaret Pacetta and Yvonne Ridley - who were detained by Israeli forces while sailing in international waters.
The four Scots remain in detention in Israel while their deportation is arranged.
Activists also called on the UK Government to push for their immediate release from Israel.
The protest at Central Station featured speeches from Isma Khan, the wife of detained Scot Sid Khan, as well as Ahmed, who had recently returned to Glasgow after helping to organise the flotilla.
Khan told the crowd: "This is not about one man [Sid]. This is about a system of occupation that thrives on silencing and punishing those who stand for justice.
"My husband's capture is part of a wider pattern that keeps two million people trapped in Gaza under siege.
"They can capture our husbands, our brothers, our sisters, but they cannot capture the growing solidarity around the world."
Khan called on the Labour Government to "not stay silent".
"Do not turn your back, use your power, use your voice to demand an end to this cruelty," she added.
"My husband's struggle is tied to the Palestinian struggle. And his freedom is bound with theirs, from the river to the sea."
Isma Khan addresses hundreds of protesters Her husband, Sid Khan, has been detained by Israel pic.twitter.com/vUMT1i7FyJ
— Lucy Jackson (@LucyAJackson_) October 2, 2025
There were around 30 police officers present around the station, along with a number of Network Rail and ScotRail security staff.
Protesters gathered from 5.30pm on Thursday and left shortly after 7pm.
A similar protest took place at Edinburgh Waverley Station on Thursday evening, as part of a global protest movement where activists have attempted to shut down railway stations in response to Israel's interception of the flotilla.
There was also a protest in Inverness, along with more than a dozen demonstrations across England.
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "We’re aware of a small number of protests currently taking place at stations across the network including Glasgow Central.
"Officers will remain highly visible throughout the evening working to keep the railway moving, and we reiterate our warning to protestors not to go on the tracks."
