Silence for Palestine and Israel victims disrupted by ‘abuse’

A TWO minute silence held outside Lerwick Town Hall at the weekend for those who have lost their lives in the Israel/Hamas conflict was said to have been disrupted by “abuse”.

Alex Armitage, who regularly participates in the Shetland Palestinian solidarity group’s weekly vigil outside the town hall, said the disruption came from some “cruise ship visitors” who were on a guided tour.

He also alleged they made “aggressive remarks about the Palestinians being responsible for the conflict”.

Armitage said there were a group of around 20 visitors on the guided tour on Saturday.

“Most of the group of visitors kept a respectful distance, but during the two minute silence – we hold a two minute silence, one minute for Palestinian victims of the violence, and the second for the Israeli victims – one of the members of the group came up to the vigil and started shouting abuse at the group,” Armitage said.

“A few minutes later, as the group passed the vigil, some members of the cruise ship interrupted again, with chanting ‘bring them home’ – presumably referring to the hostages.”

The councillor said he tried to engage the visitors in “friendly conversation, explaining that our group had campaigned for a ceasefire, release of hostages and humanitarian aid”.

“They left, making aggressive remarks about the Palestinians being responsible for the conflict,” Armitage added.